Entrega de Amor

Arguably, los Rieleros del Norte are to norteño and Tex-Mex what Poncho Sanchez is to Latin jazz — they aren't innovators, but they can usually be counted on to provide solid and pleasing albums. Entrega de Amor is no exception. Released in 2001 — the year that marked los Rieleros' 22nd anniversary — Entrega de Amor breaks no new ground for the norteño/Tex-Mex institution. But it's still an excellent, if predictable, addition to their catalog. "Por No Llamarte," "A Través de los Años," "Una Mujer Como Tú," and other tracks are state-of-the-art norteño — passionate, polka-influenced, accordion-driven songs that reflect the north-of-the-border experience of Mexican-Americans living in places like Arizona, California, and, of course, Texas (where the norteño/conjunto/Tex-Mex sound was born). Those who are knowledgeable of German culture will hear the polka influence, and those who are hip to the various styles of Mexican music will appreciate the ranchera connection. If you speak Spanish, you will know just how unapologetically sentimental these lyrics can be; if not, you'll still be able to tell that there is plenty of emotion and yearning in the vocals. Los Rieleros clearly believe that a norteño vocalist should wear his heart on his sleeve, and that is exactly what happens on unmistakably norteño offerings like "Seamos Sinceros" and "Por Tu Maldito Amor." Entrega de Amor doesn't pretend to reinvent the norteño wheel any more than Poncho Sanchez pretends to reinvent the Latin jazz/Afro-Cuban wheel; on this CD, los Rieleros del Norte continue to excel by sticking with the type of music that they do best.