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.