Texas-Mexican conjunto is “one of the most enduring musical traditions among Mexicans and Mexican Americans,” writes ethnomusicologist Manuel Pena. Starting with the music of both urban and rural Mexico, Tejano and conjunto musicians also incorporated musical influences from their Anglo-American, African American, and European (especially German and Czech) neighbors. In 1990, Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz acquired Ideal Records, a company that had a long history of recording Tejano and conjunto performers. Drawing from Ideal’s deep musical library, he compiled this rich sampler. The liner notes include a history of Tejano music and background information about each of the 24 tracks.

Track Listing