Chart Watch | ‘44/876’ reclaims number one spot - 'Stony Hill' back in chart at number eight

The Billboard Chart of top reggae albums does not have a star beside a particular full-length project each week and identify it as the greatest comeback set of the current listing. If it did, Sting and Shaggy’s joint effort would take it hands down for the chart valid up to August 18, as it has bounced back to the number one position – again.

PRIME SPOT

The last time it held the prime spot previously was July 21, when it stepped up from third place the previous week. Then for the next two weeks Everyday Life, Everyday People (Slightly Stoopid) held the number one position, with 44/876 falling as far as number four for the listing up to August 4. When the Slightly Stoopid record took a dive last week, Sting and Shaggy had a resurgence – but to the number two slot, as Santigold’s I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions seized the top spot.

Now though, it is Sting and Shaggy leading the way in their 16th week of chart action and Everyday Life, Everyday People also getting a burst of energy to sit second, up from four last week. Third is another climber, Rebelution’s Free Rein, which has gained two places last week, with last week’s top set from Santigold fourth. Rounding out the top five is Irarion’s Iration, which is up three places from eighth the week before.

In the lower half of the chart, the most notable movement is Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley’s Stony Hill making a re-entry at number eight to rack up 52 weeks of action – but it is not an unbroken year, as the set fell out of the Billboard ranking just before the deejay's 40th birthday, which coincided with his 2018 Reggae Sumfest performance. Popcaan’s Forever is neither up nor down, holding firm at number six, and the Reggae Gold 2018: 25th Anniversary various artistes compilation, has taken the greatest tumble of the listing, falling to number seven from last week’s third position.

There is a Marley connection following Stony Hill, as Unbreakable: Alborosie Meets the Wailers United (Alborosie) is at number nine and Ziggy Marley’s Rebellion Rises closes off the listing.