US album sales plunged 9.5% in 2006 from 2006, continuing a downward trend for the recording industry, despite a 45% surge in the sale of digital tracks. A total of 500.5 mln albums sold as CDs, cassettes, LPs and other formats were purchased in 2007, down 15% from 2006’s unit total, said Nielsen SoundScan. About 844.2 mln digital tracks sold in 2007, compared to 588.2 mln in 2006, and digital album sales accounting for 10% of total album purchases. Overall music purchases rose to 1.35 bln units, up 14% from 2006.