Michael Jackson’s album sales have exploded — three of his albums are in the top three spots and 2.3 million tracks have been downloaded in the US since his death, Nielsen SoundScan said yesterday.
 Album sales for the week until Sunday hit 422,000 in the US, up from 10,000 a week earlier. The week’s tally was greater than all the Jackson albums sold from the start of the year to June 21.
 The top three albums were Number Ones, Essential Michael Jackson, and Thriller. The Black Eyed Peas’ latest CD came in fourth.
Meanwhile, a Los Angeles judge says Katherine Jackson will retain limited authority over her son’s estate until Monday.
 Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff’s ruling comes over the objections of two men named as co-executors of Jackson’s estate in a will filed yesterday.
 Beckloff says he granted Katherine Jackson “slim” authority to take control of her son’s items from Neverland Ranch. Roughly 2,000 items were slated for auction earlier this year, but the sale was stopped after Jackson sued.
 Katherine Jackson’s attorneys wrote in a court filing that the memorabilia is being held by a former Jackson representative.
 She does not have the court’s authority to manage her son’s financial interests. 
The objection was filed by Michael Jackson’s longtime lawyer John Branca and John McClain, a music executive and a family friend.
And with regards to a funeral at Neverland Ranch, this  has fizzled out and it appears more likely a funeral and burial will take place in Los Angeles, a person familiar with the situation said yesteday.
 Authorities in Santa Barbara County had been preparing for tens of thousands of fans to descend on the 2,500-acre0 ranch after media reports that a public viewing would take place later this week.
 But the person, who is not authorized to speak for the family and requested anonymity, said nothing is planned for Neverland at least until tomorrow.
 The person said it appears more likely a funeral and burial will take place in Los Angeles. The family has the final say.
 A private memorial service for family and friends could take place at the ranch, most likely after the funeral.
 The person said billionaire Thomas Barrack, who owns Neverland in a joint venture with Jackson, sought an exemption to bury the singer at the ranch. But the person says it’s a complicated process and it couldn’t be done for a burial this week.

AP