By Sharon Gordon

The names have come in for the five contenders in the Best Reggae Album category for the 2013 Grammy Awards.

Congratulations to Jimmy Cliff (Rebirth); The Original Wailers (Miracle); Sean Paul (Tomahawk Technique); Sly and Robbie and the Jam Masters on New Legend- Jamaica”s 50th Edition and Toots and the Maytals with Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged on Strawberry Hill.

The usual belly aching about the process of selecting the albums that were indeed selected emerged once again on social media and on radio and talk shows.

“How can Sean Paul, a Dancehall artist be in the same category as Sly and Robbie or even Jimmy Cliff?” tweeted James W. Said Jolie Jamz on her face book wall, “Mi kinda baffled bout the list still.

Mi no know if is me or what...the Grammy folks seems out of touch wid reggae vibes and realities.” In response, Michelle Arthurton wrote, “The voting does not go by sales.

BLAME OURSELVES

Voting members vote on what they liked. Members are made up of people in the industry. Some are ex-producers and might vote on the music if they feel it was well produced; others vote if the feel the person can sing, etc.

We are to blame because it is our music and we are not there as members in numbers to vote. We can only blame ourselves. Every year it is the same belly aching.”

Finally, school officials in Holmdel, New Jersey, have removed the “Marley Mellow Mood” drink from their schools after students at William R. Satz Middle School and Holmdel High School, complained of becoming ill after consuming the beverage.

The students complained of becoming lethargic, having headaches, nausea and elevated heart rates. The drink named after reggae icon, Bob Marley is not intended for children.

In a statement, The Marley Beverage Company based in Southfield, Michigan said, “We are deeply saddened and concerned about the incident reported...our packaging clearly states that Marley”s Mellow Mood is not intended for consumption by children.

Our company”s policy is to not sell into school” The Marley Mellow Mood contains valerian roots and chamomile and is promoted to reduce stress. The product has been removed from other schools