Of the numerous albums released by the changing lineups of performers issuing recordings under the
Los Cenzontles name, this is the fourth to be devoted to traditional mariachi music. As the brief liner notes to this CD explain, the form of mariachi on this disc is one identified with Southern Jalisco that emphasizes improvisation and rhythm. The recordings here don't sound especially unusual or unstructured, but most of them are indeed dance songs, the tunes built around a pair of rapid, peppy violins and beats that don't always stick to an even pace. While the majority of the vocals are handled in harmonizing fashion by two of the male instrumentalists (guitarron player Hugo Arroyo and second violinist Julian Gonzalez), the singing by Fabiola Trujillo and Lucina Rodriguez on other tracks is more memorable, whether done solo or in tandem. ~ Richie Unterberger