Musician and band leader for the Wailers, Aston Barrett Jr, is serious about taking care of himself and living a healthy life and has made the gym a part of his daily routine.

Last Friday, while he was going through a routine inside a gym in Florida, Barrett received some great news.

“I was in the gym working out and running and then the phone calls started to come in. That’s how I learnt that we were nominated again for a Grammy Award,” Barrett told the Jamaica Observer on the weekend.

The Wailers received a nod in the Best Reggae Album category for Evolution, a 12-track set done in collaboration with Emilio Estefan Jr, husband of legendary singer Gloria Estefan.

The other nominees in the category are Never Gets Late Here by Shenseea, Take it Easy by Collie Buddz, Party With Me by Vybz Kartel, and Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired by the Film (Deluxe) -Various Artistes.

The Wailers were nominated in 2021 for One World.

Barrett shared how he felt about the nomination this time around.

“I feel so honoured that it happened again. We’ve grown so much in terms of the quality of music on this album. All the hard work that everyone poured into the album is being recognised and ‘appreci-love’. We are so honoured,” said Barrett.

Asked what kind of work went into making the album, he said: “The Evolution represents the past present and future. Everything in life is an evolution. My father started this in the 1960s with Bob and then after. He has now passed the torch on to me to carry on the message of The Wailers.”

Said Barrett: “We didn’t follow any normal rules for recording and mixing, which is why the sound is so different and we are very happy with the product. We wanted to bring a new level of sound and quality to this album.”

Legendary Grammy winner Mykal Rose, veteran singer Marcia Griffiths, Estefan’s daughter Emily, Mitchell Brunings, and Gramps Morgan are among the collaborators on
Evolution.

“I co-produced this album with Emilio and was a part of the entire process from playing most of the instrumentals on the tracks to writing and singing vocals. It was an amazing experience, and we feel we are able to continue spreading the positive message of reggae music,” the drum and bass player added.

He continued: “The best part of working on this album was working with Emilio Estefan and the experimenting we were able to accomplish for the sound. The entire album was recorded and mixed at Emilio’s studio Crescent Moon Studio. The horn tracks were recorded at Tuff Gong studio in Jamaica.”

The Wailers band was formed by former members of Bob Marley and the Wailers after Marley’s death in 1981. It was led by bassist Aston “Family man” Barrett until 2016, when he passed the role onto his son, Aston Jr.

On August 21, 2020 the group released the album One World, their first studio album in 26 years.

The current members of The Wailers also include Owen “Dreadie” Reid (rhythm guitar bass); Junior “Jazz” Wendell Ferraro (lead guitar, vocals); and Tamara “Tina” Barnes (backing vocalist).

Barrett Jr played the role of his father in the Bob Marley: One Love film that was released earlier this year.

He recalled the experience working on the project.

“Playing my father was a life-changing experience. I had never thought of myself as an actor, but feel grateful to have the opportunity to play my father. I feel like I got to experience more of his life through the movie and I have a better understanding of what he went through,” Barrett Jr disclosed.

Aston “Family Man” Barrett died on February 3, 2024.

The 67th Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Crypto.com Arena in California.