Ben Lummis' album makes a soft landing in music stores

By AMANDA CAMERON

Well, it's out there, but it's not exactly setting the world on fire.

The One Road album of NZ Idol winner Ben Lummis hit music stores yesterday, but first-day sales were underwhelming.

The marketing director of Sounds Music Stores, Shaun Joyce, estimated that the retail chain sold about 400 copies nationwide yesterday.

"I was expecting about double that."

The singer's first single, They Can't Take That Away, reached quadruple platinum status (40,000 sales) and topped the charts in its first month.

One Road is a slick mix of R&B in the Usher vein, slow-jam ballads and a touch of reggae with romantic lyrics.

The 12-track album contains They Can't Take That Away and a cover of Seal's Kiss From A Rose.

Contributions also come from songwriters who have worked with Christina Aguilera, Jamelia, Atomic Kitten, Westlife, Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue and a co-write from Ben himself.

The assistant manager of Sounds in Manukau, Brad Walkington, said the album appealed to both young and old. Most sales had been to "kids and older ladies".

Ben Lummis fan Sarah Park found out about the album's release only when she wandered past the Sounds Megastore in Queen St, central Auckland, yesterday.

The 23-year-old Korean rushed to listen to the new album using the store's headphone system.

"I love Ben very very much," she said.

Asked what appealed to her about his music, Ms Park said: "His voice, the words, and his face."

However, the English-language student admitted that she found the CD a little expensive at $26.95.

Although first-day business was a little disappointing, Mr Joyce said he expected national sales to pick up throughout the week. "I'm expecting [Sounds] to do about 3000 by the end of the week."

Mr Walkington was also optimistic. "It's almost a guaranteed number one."

However, Sounds Megastore retail assistant Brenda Vandenbosch said it would be next week before the sales picture emerged.

"The first week is kind of touch and go with any album because some people don't know it's out, then it sort of takes off."