Top Ranking Albums of August 2011

Top Ranking Albums of August 2011

1. Various Artists – We Remember Gregory Isaacs [VP Records 2011]
2. Digitaldubs – #1 [ROIR 2011]
3. Robert Earl Keen, Jr. – Ready For Confetti [Lost Highway 2011]
4. Fyah T & Next Generation Family – Familywise [Family Music 2011]
5. Various Artists – Maximum Sound 2011 [Maximum Sound 2011]
6. Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m With You [Warner Brothers 2011]
7. Various Artists – Steely & Clevie Presents Memories [VP Records 2011]
8. 10 Ft. Ganja Plant – Shake Up The Place [ROIR 2011]
9. Bassnectar – Divergent Spectrum [Amorphous Music 2011]
10. I-Wayne – Life Teachings [VP Records 2011]
11. Guy Clark – Songs And Stories [Dualtone Records 2011]
12. J Boog – Back Yard Boogie[Washouse Records 2011]
13. John Hiatt – Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns [New West 2011]
14. Shaggy  – Summer In Kingston [Ranch Entertainment 2011]
15. Kanye West & Jay–Z – Watch The Throne [Roc-A-Fella 2011]

Top Albums of December 2009

Top Albums of December 2009

This month saw the return of the “Cool Ruler” Gregory Isaacs with his new album Brand New Me. And on the Texas side of things Norah Jones released The Fall.

1. Gregory Isaacs – Brand New Me [Tad’s Records 2009]
2. Norah Jones – The Fall [Blue Note 2009]
3. Various Artists – KGSR Broadcast Volume 17 [2009]
4. Bost & Bim – The Bombing: The Very Best of Bost & Bim [Bombist 2009]
5. Brother Ali – Us [Rhymesayers 2009]
6. The Senior All Stars – Hazard [Skycab 2009]
7. Chezidek – I Grade [Tabou Records 2009]
8. Kiddus I – Rocking Rebel [2009]
9. Various Artists – Strictly The Best Vol. 40 [VP Records 2009]
10. Blackroc – Blakroc [Blackroc Project 2009]
11. Various Artists – Strictly The Best Vol. 41 [VP Records 2009]
12. Various Artists – Joe Gibbs 12 Inch Reggae Disco Mixes, Volume 3 [17 North Parade 2009]
13. Various Artists – Joe Gibbs 12 Inch Reggae Disco Mixes, Volume 1 [17 North Parade 2009]
14. Various Artists – Joe Gibbs 12 Inch Reggae Disco Mixes, Volume 2 [17 North Parade 2009]
15. Black Sheep Dres – From The Black Pool Of Genius: The Prelude [Bum Rush/T-Stylz Wreck 2009]
16. Guy Clark – Somedays The Song Writes You [Dualtone 2009]
17. Various Artists – Strange Things Riddim [Ire Ites 2009]
18. Gift of Gab – Escape 2 Mars [Cornerstone Ras 2009]
19. Junior Dan – Reggae Road Map [Hi-Try 2009]
20. Various Artists – Sugar Riddim [Sugar 2009]

The Top 30 Albums of August 2009

The TOP 30 ALBUMS of AUGUST 2009

1. Various Artists – Pecking Old School Young Blood Volume 2 [Pecking 2009]

2. Courtney John – Made In Jamaica [Jamaica Records/FiWi Music 2009]

3. Yim Yames – Tribute To [Rough Trade 2009]

4. Tarrus Riley – Contagious [VP Records 2009]

5. George Strait – Twang [MCA Nashville 2009]

6. Wayne Hancock – Viper of Melody [Bloodshot 2009]

7. Various Artists – Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae [Moll Selekta Germany 2009]

8. Groundation – Here I Am [Young Tree Records 2009]

9. Various Artists – Trojan Reggae Chartbusters Volume 1-5 [Trojan 2009]

10. Various Artists – Beginners Guide to Ska [Nascente 2009]

11. Rebelution – Bright Side of Life [Controlled Substance Sound Labs 2009]

12. The Impressions – Complete A- and B-Sides: 1961-1968 [UMC 2009]

13. Tanya Stephens – Tanya: Collection of Hits [VP Records 2009]

14. Various Artists – Dubwise/Indiscretions: Greensleeves One Drop Rhythms 2 [Greensleeves 2009]

15. Lynn Taitt & the Jets – Rock Steady Greatest Hits [Federal 2009]

16. Various Artists – Finest Delivery, Volume 2 [Greensleeves 2009]

17. KRS–One & Buckshot – Survival Skills [Duck Down Records 2009]

18. Amanda Blank – I Love You [Downtown Records 2009]

19. TOK – Our World [VP Records 2009]

20. 10 Ft Ganja Plant – Bush Rock [Roit 2009]

21. The Beasties Boys featuring Nas – Too Many Rappers (12 Inch) [Parlophine 2009]

22. Dead Prez & the Evil Genius DJ Green Lantern – Pulse of the People [Boss Up/Invasion Music 2009]

23. Sean Paul – Imperial Blaze [VP/Atlantic Records 2009]

24. Fort Knox Five – Radio Free DC Remixed [July 2009]

25. Blue Scholars – Oof! (EP) [Duck Down Records 2009]

26. Sly & the Revolutionaries – Channel One: Maxfield Avenue Breakdown Dubs & Instrumentals 1974-1979 [Pressure Sounds 2009]

27. Charlie Robison – Beautiful Day [Dualtone 2009]

28. Maxwell – Blacksummer’s Night [Sony 2009]

29. General Steele of Smif N Wessun – Presents… Welcome to Bucktown

Courntey John’s “Lucky Man” is the dynamite track for August 2009. “Lucky Man” sounds like vintage lover’s rock reggae. Courtney John’s falsetto voice is smooth, sweet, and beautiful. “From this love there’s no holiday” Courtney John sings “we won’t take a break…no.” All the “special ladies” will dig these new Courtney John tunes. Take for instance the lovely cover of Rose Royce’s “I Want To Get Next To You.”

In an indie rock meets classic rock vein, on a new EP release Tribute To George Harrison, Jim James (Yim Yames) of My Morning Jacket covers some of Harrison’s greatest songs, including “My Sweet Lord” and “All Things Must Pass.”

Some heavy hitters in the music industry made the charts this month, including Texan country music artist George Strait and Jamaican superstar Tarrus Riley. Both superstars pick enduring songs that capture the spirit of the land and its people. George Strait’s Twang as the title indicates swings with twangy vocals, fiddles, and steel guitars, making a classic Texas country sound. From the Jamaican perspective Tarrus Riley brings together a wide variety of reggae forms, such as dancehall, lover’s rock, and roots reggae, putting together a creative album with a sweet Jamaican vibe.

The popular dancehall performer, Sean Paul, dropped his new album Imperial Blaze with dance-friendly new singles like “So Fine” and “Press It Up.” T.O.K.’s new album Our World features the tracks “Guardian Angel” and “Couple Up,” which make for fun danehall music.