Rafa Arcaute
The 10-time Latin Grammy winner was nominated this year for his work with newcomer Daniela Spalla, alt stalwarts Illya Kuryaki & The Valderramas and singer-songwriter Noel Schajris. A producer, says Arcaute, serves as “the link between inspiration and the execution of an idea.”
Eduardo Cabra
Calle 13’s Cabra was nominated for helming the duo’s Multi_Viral and a Jorge Drexler track. Cabra says Multi_Viral “required a lot of studio work,” but benefited from an assortment of outside influences. “We pick up a lot of information from our trips,” he notes, “things that affect art in a positive and negative way.”
Andres Castro
The much-honored producer-songwriter was nominated again this year for his diverse work, ranging from the tropical fusion of Carlos Vives to the pop tunes of Venezuela’s Carlos Baute and Mexico’s Samo, a former member of Camila. “All artists have a different ‘language,’ ” he says. “I try to discover their sound and what comes naturally to them.”
Sergio George
The native New Yorker transforms tropical rhythms into radio hits for the likes of Marc Anthony and Salsa Giants. “The goal personally is to make everlasting music,” says George. “Chemistry in the studio only takes you so far. A positive end result is accomplished by very hard work and respect for what you’re doing.”
Moreno Veloso
The son of Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso is an artist in his own right, but he earned the nod in this category for producing the latest albums of his famous father and their fabled friend Gilberto Gil. Gilbertos Samba is a guitar-filled ode to Brazilian music, with a spare, contemporary sound.