UB40 surges with Labour of Love
LABOUR of Love, a 1983 release by British reggae band UB40, debuts this week on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. It enters at number nine.
When it was first released, Labour of Love (the band’s fourth studio effort and first album of covers) went number one in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the Netherlands. It made the top five in Canada and peaked at number 39 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart.
Re-released in 1988 due to the global success of its lead single Red Red Wine, Labour of Love peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200.
Labour of Love has been certified platinum in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands. It attained gold certification in Germany and went double platinum in the United Kingdom.
Among the reggae covers on it are Eric Donaldson’s Cherry Oh Baby, Winston Tucker’s Please Don’t Make Me Cry, and Jimmy Cliff’s Many Rivers to Cross – all of which made the United Kingdom’s Top 40 Chart.
On this week’s chart, Bob Marley and The Wailers spend 74 weeks at number one with Legend, while Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy is steady at number two.
World on Fire and Set in Stone by Stick Figure are numbers three and four, respectively, while Dutty Classics Collection by Sean Paul dips two places to number five.
Moving up two places to number six is Exodus by Bob Marley and The Wailers, while Sean Paul’s Grammy-winning Dutty Rock re-enters at seven.
Gold by Bob Marley and The Wailers slips to number eight, while Falling into Place, a Grammy- nominated set by Rebelution, re-enters at 10.
On the sales-driven US Current Reggae Albums chart, Cali Roots Riddim 2021 by Collie Buddz (Ineffable Records) debuts at number one with sales of 230 copies.
Look for The Good by Jason Mraz inches up to number two, while Soul Jazz Records Presents: Rocksteady Got Soul moves three places to three.
After debuting at number one three weeks ago with first-week sales of 1,500, Alkaline’s Top Prize dropped to number seven last week. This week, it moves up to number four after selling an additional 58 copies over the past tracking week. To date, Top Prize has moved 1,646 copies.
Falling from number three to five is Pirates Choice Vol 2, a various artistes compilation by Steady Rollin Records. VP Records’ Reggae Gold 2020 re-enters at number six.
Stepping into A New Age (1980–2012) by New Age Steppers slips to number seven, Higher Place by Skip Marley is firm at eight and Songs of Freedom: The Island Years by Bob Marley and The Wailers rises to nine.
Producer Collin “Bulby” York debuts at number 10 with the various artistes Padang Padang Riddim. Released May 28 by Bulby York Music/VP Records, the seven-track set features songs by Christopher Martin, Busy Signal, Bling Dawg, Capleton, Jahbar-I and Anthony Red Rose.
Legacy by Morgan Heritage (CTBC Music Group), a hits collection released on May 28, debuts at number 13. The Prodigy: Ladies Only Edition by Skillibeng is new at 14.
Eternal by Jo Mersa Marley entered at number six last week but tumbles to 16.
Regionally, Miss Most Wanted by Paul Elliott is number one on the South Florida Reggae Chart.
God is Love by Beres Hammond and Popcaan spends a third week atop The Foundation Radio Network (New York) Top 30 Music Chart.
