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tex mex - various artists If we're going to count heads the most popular form of latin music isn't timba, salsa or even the latest latino-pop sounds but accordion-led Tex-Mex. Spanning Texas and Mexico, it can claim tens of millions of adherents. A creolised development of the music such as polkas and waltzes of German and East-European immigrants who worked on the construction of the newly invented railways in Texas (then Mexico) during the early part of the 19th century, it fused with the Mexican tradition to create styles like corridos (ballads) and rancheras (country). This music can be savoured on Tex Mex (Arc Music), a 17 track compilation of some of its leading exponents such as Flaco Jimenez, Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto, Los Dos Gilbertos, Los Pinkys, Freddy Fender, Mingo Saldivar and others. Don't expect much African action though Mando Lopez and Los Arcos/Hermanos Penas spice their styles with cumbia rhythms and the beats of the Flaco Jimenez entry features some interesting cross-beats that sound like a Colombian rhythm whose name I can't put my finger on. What the listener will hear is some very zesty, inventive accordion playing and a broad variety of rustic approaches within the tradition of corridos, rancheras and boleros. If Tex Mex doesn't get your feet tappin' you ain't got no sense of fun, amigo.
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