SINGER Christopher Martin is enjoying one of his best chart results to date in his collaboration with German deejay Gentleman which has allowed him entry into a market rarely charted by living Jamaicans.

The single To The Top is charting at number 5 on iTunes Reggae Singles chart in Switzerland and Martin hopes that it will propel him to tour Europe this year in support of his upcoming album. Gentleman is Europe's biggest dancehall star with singles also charting at #1 in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland on iTunes Reggae Singles charts.

Chris Martin

Digital sales are significant as they account for one-third of global music sales and the Apple-owned iTunes is the leading online music store accounting for 70 per cent of worldwide digital sales according to Reuters and Billboard.

When the Observer told Martin of his chart position he said it felt "mad". Martin charted before in Europe with Take My Wings but was particularly pleased with this result.

"It feels good," added Martin, who was studying for his final year examination for his degree in finance at University of Technology. To the Top was recorded in March this year at the Big Yard studio in Jamaica and released as a single on Gentleman's latest album Diversity, licensed to Universal Music Domestic Rock. The single was the result of both management teams expressing interest in doing a collaboration.

Martin, who gained fame via a popular television talent show a few years ago, had kept media presence by aligning with the label and management team of international reggae star, Shaggy.

Martin will release his self-titled album in mid May and support it with a Caribbean tour followed by a Japanese tour in August. "The album features Busy Signal, Assassin, Shaggy, Lady Saw, Mr Easy, and D Major," he told the Observer.

Music stakeholders, including Minister of Culture Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and music entrepreneur Charles Campbell, have lamented the waning influence Jamaican artistes are having within international reggae markets, especially Europe and Japan. Last week, less than 10 per cent of the reggae singles charts on iTunes amongst 22 listed countries were occupied by living Jamaicans -- including Gyptian, Serani, Jimmy Cliff, Maxi Priest, Third World, Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Christopher Martin.

However, the late Bob Marley dominates the charts and currently has 87 chart listing amongst the possible 220 slots in the top 10 amongst 22 country markets.