By Kevin Jackson

 Christafari.—

AMERICA-BASED Christian-reggae group Christafari earns its third chart-topper on the Billboard Reggae album chart this week. The group’s latest effort, Hearts of Fire, debuted in the number one position.

Released on April 7 by Lion of Zion Entertainment, Hearts of Fire contains 13 tracks. It is the follow-up to 2015’s Anthems, which also topped the chart.

The group’s other chart-topper was Reggae Worship: A Roots Revival in 2013. Christafari’s other Billboard charting titles are 2003’s number 15 peaking Gravity; 1999’s War Sound, which stalled at number nine; and 1996’s Valley of Decision, which opened at number 7.

Overall, there are only two Jamaicans inside the Top 15 portion of the Billboard Reggae album chart.

Santa Barbara Bowl, July 23, 1979
Santa Barbara Bowl, July 23, 1979
 They are Bob Marley & the Wailers’s The Legend Live: Santa Barbara Country Bowl November 25th, 1979 (which is at number 15) and Stephen Marley’s Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life, which falls to number 14.

At number two is last week’s number one title Chalice Row or Dig a Hole (EP) by San Francisco-based reggae artist Young Shanty.

Set in Stone by Stick Figure rebounds to number three, while Rebelution’s Falling into Place slips from three to four.

Former chart-topper, the self-titled set from Fortunate Youth, falls to number five, while new at number six is Jahsaydo by St Croix, US Virgin Islands roots-reggae band Akae Beka.

This is the latter group’s fourth title to chart on the Billboard tally. Jahsaydo was released on April 7 via Uhuru Boys Productions.

Gentleman's Dub Club
Gentleman’s Dub Club

It contains 15 songs. Common Kings’ Lost in Paradise is down to number seven, while new at number eight is Dubtopia by Gentleman’s Dub Club.

The nine-member outfit formed in 2006 is based in Liverpool, England. Dubtopia was released April 7 by Easy Star Records.

It contains 13 tracks including collaborations with Lady Chann, Taiwan MC, Parly B, and Eva Lazarus. Rebelution’s Live at Red Rocks re-enters the top ten at number nine, while the various artistes compilation Get Soca 2017 falls to number 10.

A Dollar Short & A Minute Late by Hawaiian surfer-turned-singer Landon McNamara is at number 11, while falling from six to number 12 is Nothing More to Say by New York-based outfit The Frightnrs.

A new entry is at number 13: British DJ/multi-instrumentalist producer and engineer Lord Echo with his set Harmonies. It was released on April 7 by Soundway Records and contains 10 tracks.

Vaughn Benjamin of Akae Beka
Vaughn Benjamin of Akae Beka

Over to Billboard’s Dance Music Club Songs chart where last week’s chart-topper Chained to the Rhythm by Katy Perry featuring Skip Marley is down to number three, while Hips Sing by DJ Sultan featuring Elephant Man stays firm at number 36. Rockabye by Clean Bandit featuring Sean Paul and Anne Marie falls from 31 to 37.

However, it finds better luck on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, falling from 10 to number 13.

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