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November 06, 2005
Reggae/Dancehall Grammy Entries In But...
Following the release of the Best Reggae Album's list of submissions, Chairman of the Grammy Award's Reggae Committee, Robert Steffens, has expressed concern that the category is much too diverse.
Steffens, in an interview with THE STAR yesterday says he wishes to have the category split into to better judge and differentiates the music. The two categories suggested are Best Reggae Album and Best Dancehall Album.
"We were planning to pursue this split before, but due to lacking submissions, we held back. Although we are now getting more than enough submissions currently, we would prefer more entries so if we do split the categories, both would have more than sufficient entries," stated Steffens.
Regardless, the celebrated awards have begun its selection process, already receiving submissions for its 30 fields of music and 105 categories. So far, submission figures for Best Reggae album have surpassed 40 albums, overcoming the 2002 crisis, where the Grammy Committee was considering dropping the category due to a lack of submissions.
Albums like I-Wayne's Lava Ground, Juniour Kelly's Tough Life, Damian Marley's Welcome To Jamrock, Sean Paul's The Trinity and the surprise entry of Throw Down Your Arms, from Irish singer Sinead O'Connor, are said to be some of the top contenders.
According to Steffens, though the music would be best judged in separate categories, this year has seen a sizeable and diverse group of submissions, which fully represent the field of Reggae Music.
"This year's are quite impressive in quality and quantity, and are especially diverse, with entries of Roots Rock, Dancehall, Pop, and more Dancehall," commented Steffens, "It is difficult though to compare a Beres Hammond with a Lady Saw."
The requirements for album submission include that a release must be in the United States, and that its timeline is between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005. It is also required that the person submitting the albums be registered to the National Association of Record Arts and Sciences (N.A.R.A.S.).
It appears that artistes are allowed multiple entries as both Sizzla and Turbulence have been submitted twice, for two separate albums. These are I Believe and Songs of Solomon from Turbulence and Life and Soul Deep from Sizzla.
Other prominent acts submitted include Full Circle by Morgan Heritage, Black Star by Anthony B, Unknown Language by T.O.K., Our Music by Burning Spear, Clothes Drop by Shaggy, Infiltration by Assassin, Freedom Blues by Jah Cure and Reign of Fire by Capleton