BY KEVIN JACKSON
Observer writer—
44 /876 , the 12-song album by Sting and Shaggy, debuts at number one on the Billboard Reggae Album Chart. The set has sold 10,227 copies since its release on April 21.
This is the first time in two years that an album topping this chart has posted double-digit numbers in opening week. The last album to achieve that feat was Rebelution’s Falling Into Place with 13,000 in 2016.
44/876 features collaborations with Sly & Robbie, Aidonia, Morgan Heritage and Agent Sasco, among others.
“We’re very pleased with the reviews so far. We’re doing great and enjoying the promotion, and looking forward to the tour in June,” Shaggy said in interview with the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
The album also debuted at number one in Germany, Poland, Australia, and entered the UK national chart at number nine last Friday.
Both artistes said they are not focused on charts.
“We were having too much fun to think about the charts,” Sting stated. “It’s really about the creative element. We let other people worry about the charts. But it’s nice when you chart,” said Shaggy.
Elsewhere, Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica re-enters the reggae list at number two, after selling an additional 464 copies to bring its total sales to 3,567.
New at number three is the various artistes compilation Phantom Dancehall which sold 428 copies, while the Trojan Records/Studio One release Get Ready Rock Steady enters at number four with 334 copies.
Falling to number five is a former chart-topper, Beast From the East, by American band Bumpin Uglies. It sold an additional 314 copies for total sales of 1,226 in four weeks.
Another new entry is at number six, Sly & Robbie & Junior Natural with Militant Dub. Released April 21 by The Netherlands-based Music on Vinyl, the set sold 275 copies.
Soul Jazz Records Presents: Studio One Dub enters at number seven with 263 copies, while at number eight is Natural High: The Bongo Man Collection. This compilation of rarities from Studio One’s Bongo Man imprint features songs from Jackie Bernard, Prince Jazzbo and Horace Andy.
Damian Marley’s Stony Hill falls from number six to nine, selling an additional 176 copies to bring its tally to 19,931 copies. Roots of Creation falls from number three to 10 with Grateful Dub which posted another 146 copies for a total of 2,048.
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