By Kevin Jackson
Observer writer
FOR the first time in her more than 25-year career, Minister Marion Hall (formerly Lady Saw) has earned her highest ranking on the Billboard Reggae album chart. When God Speaks, her debut gospel album, released on July 22 last year via VPAL Music, rises to a new peak of number four on this week’s Billboard chart. The album barely made the Top 15 when it first charted last year.
Prior to her conversion to Christianity, Hall charted five titles on the chart, four of which made the top 10.
1997’s Passion reached number 8, while 99 Ways (released in 1999) stalled at 10. Walk Out (released in 2007) rose to number eight, while 2014’s Alter Ego made its way to number six.
Christopher Martin’s Big Deal released in February via VP Records had peaked at number three on its initial chart run. It returns to that same position, thanks to increased sales from Martin’s recent North American tour.
Set in Stone, by four-member Southern California reggae band Stick Figure, returns to the number one spot, a position it occupied when it first charted on December 5, 2015. This is the band’s second number one title. 2012’s Burial Ground also went to number one.
Set in Stone is the band’s sixth studio album. It contains 14 tracks and was released in November 2015 by Ruffwood Records. The title has been on the Billboard chart for 18 months.
Elsewhere on this week’s chart, Falling Into Place by Rebelution rises from five to number two, while Lost In Paradise by Common Kings jumps from nine to five.
Moving from 10 to six is Live at Red Rocks by Rebelution, while Get Soca 2017 leaps from 14 to number seven.
Wash House Ting by J Boog is up seven places to number eight, and the Frightnrs rise two spots to number nine with Nothing More to Say.
Bob Marley & the Wailers’ The Legend Live: Santa Barbara Country Bowl, November 25th, 1979 jumps back into the top 10 at number ten.
New on the chart at 11 is Boulder, Colorado, reggae band Na’an Stop. The five-member group’s self-titled set is the second title to chart on Billboard. 2011’s From the Deep reached number five.
Ziggy Marley’s Grammy -winning, self-titled set is at number 12, while The Skatalites’s Foundation Ska jumps back into the top 15 at number 13.
Stephen Marley’s Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life slips to number 14 and last week’s number one title, White Man in Hammesmith Palais EP tumbles all the way down to number 15.
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