Accordionist and vocalist Paulino Bernal and his older brother Eloy (on bajo sexto and vocals) formed the legendary Tejano band El Conjunto Bernal in the 1950s. They played polka, bolero, and ranchero music, and included a little rock ʼn’ roll too. This collection of 24 tracks, drawn from the Ideal Records catalog, was recorded between 1954 and 1960, the band’s formative years. Considered to be one of the most innovative conjuntos—“twenty years ahead of [their] time”—their influence is still evident today in the East Los Angeles bands Los Lobos and The Blazers. The liner notes include a brief history of El Conjunto Bernal.

Track Listing