If you must know, here are the 2011 Grammy nominees

Whatever shred of caring SoundRoots maintained for the importance of the Grammy Awards is pretty much gone, due in part to the stripping of several key categories, and due more to the Academy's persistent message that music that sells well is better than, er..., everything else. SoundRoots' own list of the best music of 2011 will be posted here later this week. For now, in the interests of an informed public, I give you the nominees for the few reaming Grammy global categories. The winners will be announced at the official ceremony on Feb. 12.

Best World Music Album 

• AFROCUBISM – AfroCubism
• AFRICA FOR AFRICA – Femi Kuti
• SONGS FROM A ZULU FARM – Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• TASSILI – Tinariwen

Apparently the Academy heard no significant non-African music this year. Which is not to impugn the quality of these albums. Several are likely to land on the SoundRoots Best of 2011 as well, but they'll have some non-African companions.


Best Tropical Latin Album

• HOMENAJE A LOS RUMBEROS – Edwin Bonilla
• THE LAST MAMBO – Cachao
• MONGORAMA – José Rizo’s Mongorama

Best Reggae Album

• HARLEM-KINGSTON EXPRESS LIVE! – Monty Alexander
• REGGAE KNIGHTS – Israel Vibration
• REVELATION PT 1: THE ROOT OF LIFE – Stephen Marley
• WILD AND FREE – Ziggy Marley
• SUMMER IN KINGSTON – Shaggy

Best Latin Pop, Rock, Or Urban Album

• ENTREN LOS QUE QUIERAN – Calle 13
• ENTRE LA CIUDAD Y EL MAR – Gustavo Galindo
• NUESTRA – La Vida Bohème
• NOT SO COMMERCIAL – Los Amigos Invisibles
• DRAMA Y LUZ – Maná

Best Regional Mexican Or Tejano Album

• BICENTENARIO – Pepe Aguilar
• ORALE – Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
• AMOR A LA MUSICA -Mariachi Los Arrieros Del Valle
• ERES UN FARSANTE – Paquita La Del Barrio
• HUEVOS RANCHEROS – Joan Sebastian

Best Banda Or Norteño Album

• ESTARE MEJOR – El Güero Y Su Banda Centenario
• INTOCABLE 2011 – Intocable
• LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE AND FRIENDS – Los Tigres Del Norte
• EL ÁRBOL – Los Tucanes De Tijuana
• NO VENGO A VER SI PUEDO… SI POR QUE PUEDO VENGO – Michael Salgado