Shaggy's Summer in Kingston tops the Billboard chart

Catch Di Riddim

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer writer

Friday, July 29, 2011

Dancehall artiste Shaggy earns his fifth number one album on Billboard's reggae album tally this week. His digital release Summer in Kingston, which was launched two weeks ago, debuts in the top spot.

Shaggy's journey on the Billboard reggae album listing began in 1994 when Pure Pleasure peaked at number nine. A year later the Grammy-winning Boombastic reached the number one spot.

Midnite Lover was released in 1997. It peaked at number one on the reggae album chart and contained a remake of Irma Franklin's Piece of My Heart which featured singer Marsha.

The Diamond-selling Hot Shot released in 2000 failed to chart on the reggae tally. It, however, found better luck topping both Billboard's 200 and R&B hip hop album charts.

The 2002 effort Lucky Day reached number one, so too did 2007's Intoxication. Three other titles, Mr Lover Lover: the Best of Shaggy Part 1 (2002), Clothes Drop (2005), and The Best of Shaggy (2008) peaked at numbers two and four, respectively.

Incidentally, without a major hit stateside, Summer in Kingston debuted at number 29 on Billboard's R&B hip hop album chart.

Ce'Cile hits the German R&B singles chart

Ce'Cile continues to score chart success on the German R&B singles chart. Two years ago Hot Like We danced its way to number one then last year Talk Talk hit the Top 10.

Now on the eve of the release of her newest album Jamaicanization (due out in Europe on August 2), Ce'Cile racks up not one but two singles on the authoritative rhythm and blues tally.

Singing this Song jumped from 19 to land at number four, while Step Aside (Beep Beep) jumps from 24 to number 11.

Last year Ce'Cile was featured on DJ Fresh's Gold Dust single, which hit the Top 40 in the UK Pop singles and Irish pop singles charts.

And still on the German R&B singles chart there are entries from two other Jamaican acts. Sean Paul's Got 2 Luv U featuring Alexis Jordan is at number 15, while former Born Jamerican member Edley Shine is new at number 30 with Telephone Sex featuring Govenor.

Wash Cook and Clean video now completed

The locations included Kingston and Ocho Rios. Rising dancehall artiste Max Element recently completed the video shoot for his current tune Wash Cook and Clean. The video was directed by Kerrin and Marvin James of Road Block Films.

Element recently spoke about the video and what fans can expect. "So far the video looks like it's going to be a hit. I really enjoyed working on this video and I am sure the fans are going to love this one," said Element.

This is the second time that Element has worked with the Road Block Films team. Kirk Lee from that outfit directed his debut video Heartbreaker.

The artiste is in the studio working on a number of forthcoming projects. Among the producers he has been working with are TJ Records and Board House Records.

Reggae Gold 2011 continues a yearly tradition

The annual Reggae Gold various artistes compilation from VP Records has always been a big seller for the New York-based independent label.

The 2011 edition is no different. Released about a month ago, the compilation debuted at number one on Billboard's reggae album chart with first week sales of 2,595 copies.

Previous Reggae Gold editions which have hit number one on the Reggae album chart include 1997, 1998, 2003, 2000, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

According to Randy Chin, President of VP Records, the 2003 edition has been the biggest seller to date. "The biggest seller in the Reggae Gold series was the 2003 edition, which sold more than 250,000 copies," said Chin.

A few of the editions have charted on the Billboard R&B Hip Hop and 200 pop album charts.

Reggae Gold 2011 features 16 tracks, including Jah Army by Stephen Marley featuring Damian Marley and Buju Banton, Nuh Ramp Wid We by I Octane, Peppa by Mavado, For Your Eyez Only by Shaggy and Alaine, Groovy Little Thing by Tarrus Riley, Times Like These by Queen Ifrica and How Mi Feel by Assassin.

Did You Know?

Music enthusiasts who are in the know about the latest hip-hop releases should by now be familiar with the song Otis by Jay-Z and Kanye West. The track is off their album Watch the Throne. But did you know that the song contains a sample from Try a Little Tenderness by the late R&B singer Otis Redding?

Incidentally, Try a Little Tenderness was first recorded in 1932 by Ray Noble Orchestra with vocals by Val Rosing. It was later covered in 1933 by Ruth Etting and then Bing Crosby.

Redding's version was recorded in 1966. Subsequent covers were recorded by Three Dog Night (in 1969), Ella Fitzgerald, Al Jarreau, Percy Sledge, Michael Bolton, Rod Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner and Michael Bublé.

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Shaggy's Summer in Kingston tops the Billboard chart