Los Lobos

Los Lobos can do just about anything. If they want to get experimental, they become the Latin Playboys. And when they want to go traditional -- as with this 1988 release -- they remain themselves and play the hell out of their songs. This is some of the best Norteno you'll hear, and it's a must for fans who want to understand the band's Mexican roots.

This tastefully modernized tour of their Mexican roots is admirably uncommercial and more than pleasant, but without imputing "reverence" or some other backhand insult, I'll mention that I prefer Rounder's ¡Conjunto! albums because they're faster. Or put it this way: usually, strange music is most efficiently conveyed by strangers. (Grade - B)