Riddim Twins Sly and Robbie are nominated for a Reggae Grammy. - contributed

Come next February, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare stand to add to the many awards they have received throughout their stellar career as a duo, which has spanned three decades.

According to word from Taxi Records, the 'Riddim Twins' have been nominated for a Grammy for their album Amazing, which was released on September 30.

Dunbar, who recently returned from touring, was surprised when he heard the news. "It's a good feeling. The surprise is nice," he said shortly after he arrived at One Pop Studios on Red Hills Road. "I always believe in manifestation because sometimes you do work and it doesn't break out for like five years."

Wicked compilation

The 16-track CD is a compilation of songs that features some of the island's leading singers and deejays, among them Pull Up Selector, featuring father and son Jimmy and Tarrus Riley; Dancing Idiot, featuring Elephant Man and Macka Diamond; Love Again, featuring Lukie D; Natty Dread, featuring Calibe and I Shot the Sherriff, featuring Selah and Chantelle.

The CD has been nominated in the Best Reggae Album category.

Kaz Asonuma, producer at Taxi Records, believes the album has a shot at winning the award because "no Marley in it this year".

Sly is a bit more modest. "With the Grammy thing, we don't really look at it for the Grammy, we do music that make people comfortable, so anybody who wins the Grammy we always respect them because we know they put out a lot of work. We always appreciate and respect anyone who wins the Grammy."

If the Riddim Twins win, it would be their third win from four nominations. "We won our first Grammy with Black Uhuru (1985) and in 1997 for Friends. They were also nominated for Best R&B Instrumental in 1985.

The Twins were nominated again last year for Anniversary - a compilation of songs featuring the Taxi Gang and artistes such as Beenie Man, Red Dragon, Brian and Tony Gold, Diana King and Cherine Anderson - in the Reggae Album category.

Dunbar says he prefers Anniversary to Amazing "because the songs on Anniversary are classic", he says.

The twins released other work this year, an album called More Baltimore, 20 songs done on the same rhythm by several artistes including Tony Rebel, General Degree, Lutan Fyah, Richie Stephens, Frisco Kidd and Len Hammond, and Jimmy Riley's Pull Up Selector, a 16-track CD of songs from the legendary crooner.

Other Grammy-award nominees will be announced following the 'Grammy nominations Concert Live! Countdown to Music's Biggest Night', on December 3.

That concert, which will be held at Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, will be broadcast live on CBS Television from 9 to 10 p.m and will feature performances by Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Foo Fighters.