Who will it be?

Sunday, February 12, 2012

JUST who will walk away with the coveted title for Best Reggae Album at tonight's 54th Grammy Awards?

The music's industry prestigious event will be at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with the pre-telecast taking place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

With Stephen and Ziggy Marleys in contention, many pundits are already speculating it is a foregone conclusion that one of them will take it from the rest of the field comprising Shaggy, Israel Vibration, and Monty Alexander.

Younger of the two Marleys, Stephen, appear poised for the reggae's highest award with Revelation Pt 1: The Root Of Life. Produced on the Tuff Gong/Universal Republic label, the entry is the stronger of the Marleys' offering.

A win for Stephen would give the artiste/producer his third lein on the award as a solo artiste having won in 2008 with Mind Control and in 2010 with the acoustic version of the same album.

Young Marley, as part of his sibling group the Melody Makers, won the Best Reggae Album in 1989 (Conscious Party); 1990 (One Bright Day) and in 1998 ( Fallen Is Babylon).

Tracks on Revelation Pt 1: The Root Of Life include Working Ways, She Knows Now, Now I Know and False Friends. The album is laced with powerful messages and encouragement for the struggling masses.

Stephen's brother, Ziggy's album Wild and Free is his fourth solo effort and is on the Tuff Gong Worldwide label. It has been described as his most political to date.

The overall theme of the album is a powerful one, as it propels Marley to challenge social injustice along with the political weapons of ignorance and fear.

Among the tracks on the album are title track Wild and Free, Forward to Love, Changes, Personal Revolution and Reggae in My Head.

Ziggy previously won the Best Reggae category album in 2007 with Love Is My Religion.

Shaggy is expecting to repeat the success he had with Boombastic in 1996.

His album, Summer In Kingston feature tracks such as Sugarcane, which made it on the top 10 on the iTunes reggae charts for weeks.

American-based Jamaican duo, Israel Vibration is represented in the category with Reggae Knights. The members of the group overcame polio to become a successful root-roots group.

Tracks featured on Reggae Knights are Bad Intention, Cantankerous, Dig Up the ground, If you Do Bad, My Master's Will, Original Gangster and Poor and Humble.

Jazz aficionado Monty Alexander will be seeking to cap his 50th anniversary in the music business with the Grammy award. He rounds out the list of nominees with his Harlem Express Live! album. Featured tracks includes Strawberry Hill, High Heel Sneakers, Sweet Georgia Brown and The Heathen.

Over the years, this category has produced winners such as Jimmy Cliff (1986), Bunny Wailer, (1991, 1995 &1997), Shabba Ranks (1992 and 1993) and Toots & the Maytals (2005).

— Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

Update: Stephen Marley's Revelation Pt 1: The Root Of Life wins Reggae Grammy Award

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Who will it be?