Santigold shines on Billboard
A record seven new entries storm the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart this week, thanks to a sales rush from World Record Store Day on April 13.
However, making the biggest move, rising to number one from 42, is I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions by American singer Santigold. It sold an additional 1,230 copies to bring its haul to 3,915.
Her fourth album, it topped the chart last August, two weeks after its July 27 release. Dancehall artiste Shenseea is featured on the track Don’t Blame Me.
The highest new entry arrives at number two with 842 copies sold. That is The Nighthawk Recordings by veteran roots group Culture.
Omnivore Recordings released the seven-song EP which includes four previously unreleased tracks. This is the second Billboard entry for Culture whose previous title was 2017’s Two Sevens Clash: 30th Anniversary Edition, which stalled at number seven.
Rootz Reggae Dub: Special Edition by Lee “Scratch” Perry debuts at number three with 666 copies, the highest entry for Perry who has charted 13 times. His last entry was 2017’s Super Ape Returns to Conquer, which peaked at number five.
Dub the Planet Volume 1 by Roots Radics/Dub Syndicate opens at number four with 508 copies.
Desmond Dekker and The Aces earn their first album on the chart with Pretty Africa, entering at number five with 500 copies.
Pretty Africa was released by Trojan Records. The tracks were recorded in 1973 at London’s Chalk Farm Studio.
Released by Soul Jazz Records, Studio One Showcase 45: The Original – Various Artistes is new at number six with 349 copies, while 12 Inches of Dub by Roots Radics, from VP Records, is at number seven with 343 copies.
Another VP Records release, Roots From The Yard, a various-artistes compilation, is number eight with 193 copies sold, while The Green tumbles from number two to nine with Black and White selling 144 copies.
Vanessa Bling is number 10 with Still Standing. The EP was released last September and peaked at number three in December. It sold an additional 126 copies to bring its tally to 1,411.
After 52 weeks in the top 10 and 23 non-consecutive weeks at number one, the Grammy winning 44/876 by Sting and Shaggy finally exits the top 10. It is a number 12.
