Singer George Michael tops British album charts

LONDON, Nov 20 (Reuters) Pop singer George Michael's first album in two years shot straight to number one, the Official UK Charts Company has said.

Michael's new album ''Twenty Five'' -- a reference to his 25-year pop career -- is a compilation of hit songs from his days in Wham during the 1980s to the present as a solo singer. He opened his first British tour for 15 years in Manchester on Friday.

''Twenty Five'' pushed Jamiroquai's album collection ''High Times: Singles 1992-2006'' down to two, with the Sugababes' ''Overloaded -- the Singles Collection'' -- a new entry at three.

The eponymous debut album from All Angels, dubbed the world's first female classical supergroup, came straight in at nine, just ahead of Tenacious D's ''The Pick of Destiny'', the fourth new entry in the album charts' top 10.

In the singles chart, rapper Akon's collaboration with Eminem ''Smack That'' rose 11 places to take the number one spot, as last week's chart topper -- Irish pop group Westlife's version of the Bette Midler ballad ''The Rose'' -- fell to three.

Justin Timberlake's ''My Love'' was another strong climber, rising 13 places to number two, with British boy band Take That's ''Patience'' a new entry at four.

American singer Beyonce's ''Irreplaceable'' was a non-mover at five, while Dutch dance DJ Fedde Le Grand's ''Put Your Hands Up For Detroit'' slipped two to six.

''Rock Steady'', the comeback single from girl band All Saints, who are back together after splitting up five years ago, dropped from three to seven as singer Robbie Williams's single ''Lovelight'' made a strong showing, climbing from 28 to eight.

Rockers U2's recording with American band Green Day ''The Saints Are Coming'' fell from two to nine, while dance duo Bodyrox's ''Yeah Yeah'' dropped four to round out the chart.

REUTERS DKS PM0420