The Grammys' legacy of surprises is underscored in a positive light here. Along with 1999 megasellers such as Backstreet Boys' fine "I Want It That Way" and Santana's, well, smooth "Smooth" are excellent tracks by the relatively obscure neo-soulster Macy Gray and blues-rock singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi. Further, the inclusion of Kid Rock among the nominees is a move that Grammy voters probably wouldn't have made if his multiplatinum album had been released even three or four years ago. Finally, with its emphasis on highly popular work--even Gray's On How Life Is has gone gold--this CD celebrates the eclectic tastes of America's mainstream music listeners. --Rickey Wright