The 38th Annual Grammy Nominations : Latin : Big Names, Few Surprises

As usual, the Latin pop nominations are filled with a lot of predictable big-name bestsellers and a precious few actually deserving artists.

If the voting members follow the Tom Hanks syndrome and favor past winners, Cachao should repeat with his “Master Sessions Vol. II” in the tropical Latin performance category, and it’s a satisfying album.

Of the remaining nominees, the strongest artistically is Willie Colon and Ruben Blades’ “Tras la tormenta.” The problem is the single most interesting name of all of Latin music in 1995 wasn’t nominated: Cuban singer Albita.

The Latin jazz area is, as usual, the most competitive turf--though the field would have even been stronger if Seis del Solar (the former backup band for Ruben Blades) had been included. Of the nominees, Eddie Palmieri, the late Antonio Carlos Jobim and Chico O’Farrill & His Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra stand out.

By contrast, the Mexican-American performance category once again has given us a mixed bag of quality and disposable recordings. To make up for the absence of Vicente and Alejandro Fernandez, the category can save face only if accordionist Flaco Jimenez or Mexican hero Juan Gabriel take the trophy. Heaven help us if La Mafia wins.

In the Latin pop performance competition, Mana should win hands-down, making it the first pop-rock en espanol group to take a Grammy.