<B>OLU DARA: <I>In the World, from Natchez to New York</I></B><BR> Atlantic 83077-2 (CD). 1998. Yves Beauvais, Olu Dara, prods.; Danny Kopelson, eng. Tom Schick, asst. eng. AAD? TT: 47:03<BR> Performance <B>****</B><BR> Sonics <B>****</B><I>(But see final paragraph.)</I>

Specialty audio manufacturers did better than expected in 1997, with factory sales as high as $1.4 billion, as reported <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/10148/">last week</A>. More figures from the <A HREF="http://www.cema.org">Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association</A> indicate that the High End's good fortune is part of a bigger trend.

Is it merely the tip of the iceberg, or a temporary diversion? Hard to say just yet, but a recent report from the <A HREF="http://www.cema.org">Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association</A> (CEMA) suggests that increasing numbers of folks are using their PCs in place of, or in addition to, regular audio systems.

Questions for music lovers: 1) Have you been racking your brain trying to remember who recorded <I>Ruby Vroom</I>? 2) Do you know how many Tim Hardin recordings are available on CD? 3) Which album featured Head East's "Never Been Any Reason," considered by some connoisseurs the greatest rock song ever?

Do offensive lyrics in pop music contribute to violent behavior and teen suicide? Some lawmakers believe so, and think public investment in the entertainment business is immoral.

Responding to continued softness in the audio market, the <A HREF="http://www.cema.org">Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association</A> (CEMA) has finalized plans to hold its first annual Audio Industry Summit at the Westin Hotel O'Hare in Chicago, Illinois, May 29-31. CEMA audio company members will congregate in an effort to formulate strategies they believe will lead the category back to long-term prosperity and growth.

PARA, the <A HREF="http://www.paralink.org/">Professional Audio-Video Retailers Association</A>, is bringing its annual management conference to the Hyatt Regency in Hilton Head, South Carolina, this week. The five-day event, running April 22-27, will focus on improving retail strategies. Representatives from more than 600 retailers, suppliers, and industry publications are expected.

One billion dollars in 1997---that&#198;s the <A HREF="http://www.cema.org">Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association</A>'s first-ever estimate of the high-end industry's factory-sales volume. The number could be as high as $1.4 billion, according to a CEMA projection for the entire industry based on sales data of a representative sample of 32 companies. The results of the survey were published March 23 on CEMA's website.