Fireflies Soar To Billboard’s Top

NEW YORK-BASED reggae band John Brown’s Body has scored its third number one on the Billboard Reggae Album Chart with the album Fireflies.

Released by Easy Star Records on September 9, Fireflies contains 10 tracks. The set moved 730 copies in its first week of release.

Formed 20 years ago in Ithaca, New York, the band comprises Elliot Martin (lead vocals); Tommy Benedetti (drums); Jay Spaker (guitar and vocals); Dan Africano (bass); Jon ‘JP’ Petronzio (keyboard); TJ Schaper (trombone); Sam Dechenne (trumpet); Mikey Vitale (tenor sax); and Kenny Christianson (sound engineer).

Fireflies is the band’s eighth studio album and their sixth title to chart on the Billboard Reggae table.

 Their previous efforts were Pressure Points (2005), which stalled at number 11; Amplify (2008), which went to number one; Re-Amplify (EP) (2009) which peaked at number eight; Kings and Queens (2013) hit number one; while Kings and Queens In Dub (2009) reached number four.

Meanwhile, still on the Billboard Reggae Album Chart, last week’s number one Nothing More to Say by New York-based reggae outfit the Frightnrs falls to number two with sales of 485 to bring its two-week tally to 2,241.

Three-member Marylandbased reggae band Bumpin Uglies debuts at number three with Keep it Together, which sold 426 copies. Jamaican roots singer Jah9 opens at number five with her new album 9, which sold 289 copies.

Stephen Marley’s Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life falls to number six with 255 copies to bring its tally to 8,169, while Stick Figure’s Set in Stone is at number seven with 220 copies sold in the past week. Its total to date stands at 21,110.

Roots of Creation sold 127 copies to enter the chart at number eight with Livin Free, while Wandering Soul by HIRIE falls to number nine with 115 copies.

The number 10 position is held by Ziggy Marley’s self-titled album which moved 99 copies.

Since its release 18 weeks ago, the Marley album has sold 11,491 copies.

Interestingly, in the wake of his death two weeks ago, veteran ska pioneer Prince Buster has seen renewed interest in his album Ska and Rocksteady Collection, which re-enters the chart at number 15 with sales of 66 copies.

To date, the set has moved 99 copies.

— Kevin Jackson

Source: Fireflies soar to Billboard’s top – Entertainment – JamaicaObserver.com