The romantic trio's signature sound is characterized by three suave male voices, backed by two or three guitars, singing romance-drenched lyrics in lush, three-part harmony. The style rocketed to pan-Latin popularity in the late 1940s and 1950s, and Trio Los Tres Reyes is the last of the big-name Mexican trios to continue performing with the majority of its original members.

"The trío romántico is synonymous with intimacy" - lead singer Bebo Cárdenas

Romancing the Past is a brand-new recording of Los Tres Reyes classics , such as "ódiame", and new additions to the repertoire, such as "El Lunar de María".

Listen to the playful "El Lunar de María (Maria’s Mole)" and a re-recording of "ódiame (Hate Me)", the groups’ signature song.

Romancing the Past is the 36th release in the Smithsonian Folkways Tradiciones/Traditions series since 2002. The series, a co-production with the Smithsonian Latino Center, showcases the diverse musical heritage of the 50 million Latinos living in the USA.