Best selling vinyl albums in 2016

It is common knowledge that vinyl records have been enjoying a massive comeback all over the world and their sales have been inceasing year to year. Very recently, we have come accross rankings of the best-selling vinyl albums in the US and UK in the first six months of 2016. The American audiences are less reluctant to buy new music whereas classic recordings prevail in Britain. Let us also shed some light on the names of the drummers featured on those albums just in case our viewer/reader has not come across all of them.

Best-selling vinyl albums in the USA (according to “Business Insider“):

10. Twenty One Pilots – Blurryface (2015)

Drummer: Josh Dun

It is the duo’s fourth studio effort since their debut in 2009 and the second album since getting signed. Within a week since its release, the record reached no. 1 on the Billboard 200 while the single “Stressed Out” peaked at no. 2 of the Billboard Hot 100. This is the real deal.

9. Leon Bridges – Coming Home (2015)

Drummer: Josh Block

The latest retro soul sensation from the US. Just one look at the photos tells you that the 27-year-old singer plans to recapture the spirit of 50’s and 60’s gospel/soul music. He does that brilliantly while showing prospects of developing his individual style at the same time. The title track is one of the most viral tracks on Spotify. The record earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album.

8. Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)

The American rapper’s second studio effort, produced by the likes of Dr. Dre and Pharrell Williams, to name just two. Platinum in the US and gold in the UK. No mention of any drummer featured on there.

7. John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1965)

Drummer: Elvin Jones

Labels such as “free jazz” or “hard bop” stop making any sense in this case. It is simply one of the greatest masterpieces of jazz and music in general. They say that if one wants to have a single jazz record in their collection, it should be “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis, but if one wants to have two, this ought to be the other one. One of the best-selling jazz albums in history, no. 47 on Rolling Stone‘s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The manuscripts connected with composing the music have been deposited in the National Museum of American History‘s “Treasures of American History” collection, while the album itself has been selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry due to its cultural, historic, or artistic significance. And the great Elvin Jones to boot…

6. The Avalanches – Wildflower (2016)

Drummers: The Avalanches

Sophomore album by the electronic duo. Notably, made and released sixteen years after the debut, which in no way weakened their fans’ interest in the band. That is quite a phenomenon.

5. Prince and the Revolution – Purple Rain (1984)

Drummer: Bobby Z.

Prince’s multi-platinum smash (certified 13 times platinum). Hit songs such as the title track, “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” speak for themselves. It is the soundtrack to a movie by the same title and starring the late Artist as well. Second best album of the 80’s according to the Rolling Stone magazine and ranked no. 76 on their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The drums are programmed on some of the tracks, always by Prince himself. An absolute pop classic.

4. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black (2006)

Drummers: Homer Steinweiss, Troy Auxilly-Wilson, Salaam Remi

Amy’s second and final studio album featuring international hits such as “Rehab” and “You Know I’m No Good“. Seems like it is going to be just as much a classic as Prince’s “Purple Rain” is. Or has it already become one? The record’s continuous high sales in the last 10 years would suggest that.

3. Bob Marley and the Wailers – Legend (1984)

Drummers: Carlton Barrett, Alvin “Seeco” Patterson, Joe Higgs

The best-selling reggae album in history (over 40 million worldwide). “No Woman, No Cry“, “Could You Be Loved“, “Buffalo Soldier“, “Get Up, Stand Up“, “I Shot the Sheriff“, “Redemption Song“, “Jamming“, “Exodus“… Need we say more?

2. Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959)

Drummer: Jimmy Cobb

The most popular jazz album in history, considered the greatest artistic achievement within the genre. Selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry. Ranked no. 12 on Rolling Stone‘s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

1. Radiohead – Moon Shaped Pool (2016)

Drummer: Phil Selway.

The latest studio record from the English indie icons. Fans on both sides of the Atlantic are buying (as always) despite the almost non-existent promotion, which has already become a tradition with this band.

Best-selling vinyl albums in the UK (according to “New Musical Express“)

10. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (1977)

Drummer: Mick Fleetwood
One of the best-selling albums in history (over 45 million), Fleetwood Mac’s most successful release and possibly one of pop rock’s crowning achievements. Not only did hits like “Go Your Own Way“, “Dreams” or “Don’t Stop” assure the band a Grammy and commercial success but also the love of millions of fans all over the world, who to this day storm every venue this combo appears in.

9. Bob Marley and the Wailers – Legend (1984)

Drummers: Carlton Barrett, Alvin “Seeco” Patterson, Joe Higgs

As we have already established, there is no need to say more on this one. However, there is such a possibility so let’s say it: if one wants to have a single reggae record in their collection, this probalbly is the one.

8. David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars (1972)

Drummer: Mick Woodmansey

While “Let’s Dance” is Bowie’s most commercially successful release worldwide, “Ziggy” remains possibly the most beloved album from his back catalogue on the British Isles. An iconic album for glam rock, not only imagewise but also (or rather first and foremost) as far as sound production is concerned. No. 35. on Rolling Stone‘s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Drummer Mick Woodmansey – the last surviving member of The Spiders from Mars – is rather forgotten today but this album earned him a place in the history of popular music forever.

7. Various Artists – Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix 1 – Original Soundtrack (2014)
Drummers: Mick Woodmansey, Johnny Jackson, Sandy West and others

This movie soundtrack is a relatively new release but the music on it is classic as the compilation includes such songs as “Moonage Daydream” by David Bowie, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvina Gaye and Tammi Terrell or 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love“. In 2014, the album spent a total of 16 weeks at no. 1 of the Billboard 200.

6. David Bowie – Nothing Has Changed (2014)

Drummers: John Eager, Terry Cox, Mick Woodmansey, Aynsley Dunbar, Tony Newman, Andy Newmark, Dennis Davis, Omar Hakim, Tony Thompson, Pugi Bell, Sterling Campbell, Matt Chamberlain, Mark Guiliana and others

A summary of 50 years (1964 – 2014) of David Bowie’s activity and a huge chunk of drumming history made by the best of the best.

5. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses (1989)

Drummer: Alan “Reni” Wren

A classic release for British rock in general and certainly for the Madchester sound, which the band (along with Happy Mondays) helped create. It is also difficult to imagine the British scene in the 90’s with Oasis, Blur or The Verve without the foundations laid by Ian Brown & Co. The album has invariably occupied top slots in all kinds of best-British-albums-of-all-time rankings and has also made it to Rolling Stone‘s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

4. Adele – 25 (2015)

Drummers: Homer Steinweiss, Leo Taylor, Joey Waronker

The first release from Adele after a long hiatus caused by her will to take care of her child but also by a writer’s block. No worries though. The fans haven’t forgotten and the singer is unblocked and in great artistic shape. The album features three amazing drummers, two of whom (H. Steinweiss and J. Waronker) are old studio war horses matched only by few, while the third one is young but clearly didn’t make it to the studio by mistake.

3. The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It (2016)

Drummer: George Daniel

Sophomore effort form the English band. No. 2 on both sides of the Atlantic and five singles taken from the album is proof of significant hit-making potential, which is important when creating danceable repertoire. Grooves do exist there, at times quite fat ones, too, although dipped in plastic production.

2. Amy Winehouse – Back in Black (2006)

Drummers: Homer Steinweiss, Troy Auxilly-Wilson, Salaam Remi

We already wrote a word about this one when discussing the American list. Let us also add that the drummers’ performance on the album is excellent. Homer Steinweiss has since then been holding court at studio sessions (also for Adele’s “25” ranked two slots lower).

1. David Bowie – Blackstar (2016)

Drummer: Mark Guiliana

The first and only US number one and possibly the furthest departure from rock and roll in Bowie’s entire career. Mark Guiliana, as a drummer with a non-rock-and-roll background, fitted the bill perfectly. Since its release, the album has frequently been referred to as David Jones’ swan song but let’s not be so quick to slap labels. Producer Tony Visconti has already mentioned that much more music was recorded before the man’s passing.