Business as usual for grammy’s

THE National Academy of Recording, Arts and Sciences (NARAS) have been criticised for indifferent selections in the Grammy Awards’ Best Reggae Album category.

The trend continues with the 2014 nominations which were announced last Friday at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

 

American rapper Snoop Lion’s Reincarnated is the best known of the albums, having gained extensive coverage in American media due to Snoop’s conversion to Rastafari.

That was not the case with its competitors. Ziggy Marley in Concert, Sizzla’s The Messiah, Sly and Robbie and the Jam Masters Reggae Connection and Beres Hammond’s One Love, One Life had little impact overseas or at home.

The first Grammy Award for reggae (the category was originally known as Best Reggae Recording) went to Black Uhuru in 1985 for Anthem.

Since then, the category has been dominated by the Marleys, Bunny Wailer and reggae greats Jimmy Cliff and Burning Spear.

Here are five quality reggae albums that were never nominated for a Grammy Award:

‘Til Shiloh (Buju Banton): One of the great reggae albums, this remarkable set never made the 1996 cut.

Tougher Than Love (Diana King): Driven by the hit song, Shy Guy, this 1994 album went gold for sales of over 500,000 units. Not a hit, however, with NARAS judges.

Lift Up Your Head (Everton Blender): A solid 1994 debut from the Clarendon-born singer, the title track is a bona fide anthem. Also contains the popular Family Man and Create a Sound.

Where There is Life (Luciano): Arguably the singer’s finest album. Produced by Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell, the 1995 set is one of contemporary reggae’s best efforts. It includes the anthems Lord Give Me Strength and It’s Me Again Jah.

Da Real Ting (Sizzla): Hit songs aplenty on this 2002 Bobby Digital production. Just One of Those Days, Thank U Mamma, Mash Dem Down, Solid As a Rock and Simplicity had radio and dancehalls rocking.

The 56th annual Grammy Awards take place at the Nokia Theatre on January 26.

For the original report go to http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/BUSINESS-AS-USUAL-FOR-GRAMMY-S_15603454