from The Jamaican Observer on November 14th, 2022
There are several heavy-hitters in line to be nominated for Best Reggae Album at next year’s Grammy Awards. Nominations will be announced November 15 in Los Angeles and while they are long shots, Jahmark of Jahmark and The Soulshakers and E-Dee consider it an honour being on the provisional list.
Both are based in Los Angeles. Jahmark and The Soulshakers made the provisional table with ‘Vigilance’, released in July, while E-Dee, who is also an actor, is on the list for ‘Elevate’ which came out in May.
The maximum six albums are expected to be nominated.
“I love music, and especially roots music, it’s the music my heart and soul vibrate to, so to I a Grammy nomination would mean big things a gwaan for the genre known as roots, rock, reggae because this is what we are dealing with since we begin our musical journey, even when trends cause the music to cross over into other genres until it is barely recognisable as such,” said Jahmark. “It would mean greater visibility whereby more ones and ones could gain access to the message and movement of our musical journey. Of course, it’s always a positive vibe to be acknowledged by your peers, and then you done know from a strictly business point of view it would mean that the stock value of what we have to offer musically would increase.”
Jahmark formed the band during the 1980s in Kingston, before moving to Japan late that decade. The Soulshakers have been part of the southern California reggae scene for over 25 years.
E-Dee also believes a Grammy nomination would be a shot in the arm for his career. Being on the same list with previous winners of the Best Reggae Album is a big deal for the Clarendon-born artiste.
“It’s a refreshing feeling because growing up as a kid I listened to Jimmy Cliff, Black Uhuru and even Sean Paul and Shaggy in the ‘90s. To see my name on a list with these legends I feel like I’m already winning,” he said.
‘Elevate’ features collaborations with Glen Washington (Where I Belong) and I-Octane (Ghetto Yutes Rise).
Cliff (Refugees), inaugural winner Black Uhuru (New Day), Sean Paul (Scorcha) and Shaggy with ‘Com Fly wid Mi’ are expected to make the Best Reggae Album cut.
SOJA won the 2022 Best Reggae Album Grammy in March with ‘Beauty in The Silence’, making them the first American band to take the category.
