Long stayers top Billboard reggae chart
AMONG THE things that they have in common, the top two albums on the Billboard Reggae Albums listing for the week of January 21, 2017, share two striking characteristics.
They have both had over half a year on the chart and also had upward movement to claim their current spots.
Topping the listing is Rebelution’s Falling Into Place, which has now spent 31 weeks on the chart. It moved up a spot from last week’s number two position. Also moving up a notch to be at number two is Stick Figure’s Set in Stone, which has now spent 60 weeks on the ranking.
The album’s movement pushed the Bob Marley in concert set The Legend Live: Santa Barbara – County Bowl, November 25th, 1979 down to number three in its fifth week on the chart. It is one of two titles in the listing’s top five to have fallen from the previous week’s position, as Rebelution’s Live at Red Rocks slipped a place from last week to be at number five. Fourth is London McNamara’s A Dollar Short & a Minute Late.
J Boog’s Wash House Ting also lost a place to be at number six this week, while Stephen Marley’s Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life continues its clamber back up the charts with a number seven slot, up a place from last week. Nothing More to Say (The Frightners) lost two places from last week’s number six to be at number eight this week, while ninth-place Release the Bound (Matisyahu) and Double Up (Iration) in the number 10 position maintain their previous week’s places.
The only new set on the chart is the Double Murda Riddim various artistes EP, which makes its debut at number 11. The Strictly the Best compilation has a double presence, as volume 54 is at number 13 and volume 55 is at number 15.
Another compilation, Reggae Gold 2016, is at number 14, while Xyclone’s From the Basement to the Big Leagues holds the number 12 spot.
The top 10 of iTunes reggae albums listing is virtually a Marley roll call, with a couple shots of Shaggy in there for good measure. Up to yesterday morning, Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Legend (Remastered) was number one, with Nas and Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley’s Distant Relatives (Bonus Track Version) third and Jr Gong’s Welcome to Jamrock fourth.
The father is back again with three in a row – Exodus (Remastered) at number five Kaya (Remastered) at number six and Legend (Deluxe Edition) at number seven.
Shaggy’s iTunes top 10 pair is Hot Shot (number eight) and Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection in the ninth slot.
Rebelution’s top Billboard set, Falling Into Place, is second on the iTunes listing. London McNamara’s A Dollar Short & a Minute Late is fourth on the Billboard hierarchy, but 10th on the iTunes listing.