Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

A: Stephen Marley

WITH THE recent announcement of Grammy award nominations, fans and industry interests are already speculating who is most likely to come out on top.

The same is true for the Reggae Category in which five Jamaicans have been singled out.

Those in contention for the category of Best Reggae Album (Vocal or Instrumental) are The Burning Spear Experience by Burning Spear (Burning Music Production), Mind Control by Stephen Marley (Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youths/Universal Republic), The End Of An American Dream by Lee 'Scratch' Perry (Megawave), Anniversary by Sly and Robbie And The Taxi Gang (Taxi Records) and Light Your Light by Toots and The Maytals (Fantasy).

"The only one (album) that I am really familiar with is the Stephen Marley album. I got to listen to that one extensively and I was really impressed with it, but I can't compare it with the others because I didn't hear them," Desi Young, president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), told The Gleaner recently.

A good chance

Clyde McKenzie, general manager of Shocking Vibes, said each artiste stands as good a chance as any other, having each won a Grammy before.

"Everybody there has won a Grammy already to the best of my recollection. And what is clear is that there are some veterans there, people who have gone there before and they are all great artistes," Mr. McKenzie commented.

"They are all seasoned campaigners and they are super talented people who have made significant contributions to the music. Young Stephen Marley, I imagine this might be the first time going there as a solo artiste, but he has won before with The Melody Makers ... but anybody that wins it will be no big surprise."

Kimari Shaw, managing director of M-Possible Creations, a make-up, artistry, photography and events planning service, commented that he was rooting for Marley.

"He (Marley) writes most of Junior Gong's songs and he's young and vibrant and based on his input and creativity, Junior Gong has made many great hits and have influenced the youth and society in a good way."

Ziggy Marley's Love Is My Religion won at the last Grammy Awards, over Buju Banton's Too Bad, Matisyahu's Youth, Sly and Robbie's Rhythm Doubles and UB40's Who You Fighting For.

The 50th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 10, 2008, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

B: Lee 'Scratch' Perry

C: Burning Spear

D: Frederick 'Toots' Hibbert - File Photos