Alumno a Maestro

Sinaloan singer, songwriter, and accordionist Remmy Valenzuela made himself one of the shining lights of the more youthful alternative corrido scene with his charting debut single "Te Tocó Perder" and its accompanying video. Its crisscrossing, stop-start, cut-time rhythms and waltz and polka fusion made it a hit in clubs as well as digitally and on radio. De Alumno a Maestro, his debut full-length, is just as contagious. Among its 12 tracks are four excellent originals (including the single) and tunes composed by a stellar cast of writers. Among its highlights are a stomping version of Alex González and Fher Olvera's "El Borracho" and their steamy, grooving cumbia "Te Llevaré al Cielo," his own "La Ultima Batalla," and Roberto Tapia's "Cuando un Amor." In front of it all is Valenzuela's voice, at once soaring and earthy, and his fleet, dexterous accordion playing. There isn't a weak track in this bunch. ~ Thom Jurek