Lo Mejor de Lo Mejor

In one of the stranger developments in Mexican regional music, Skalona Records issues a split greatest-hits collection with Duranguense band El Trono de México and modern norteño outfit Grupo Exterminador. The reason? The two are touring the United States and Mexico together. It's an experiment but a fine one, since both acts have so much material to choose from that fans of one can be introduced to the other. Despite the different accents in the music, this is Mexican regional music at its best. The first ten tracks on Lo Mejor de Lo Mejor are by El Trono de México while the latter are by Grupo Exterminador. Of the former, it's the latter-day jams that take precedence, particularly in "Quien Piensa en Ti," "Me Enamoré de Ti," and the instrumental "Arriba Pichataro." Grupo Exterminador's section of the album contains highlights such as "Ranchero Quido," "Perdóname," "Se Renta Esta Casa," and the risqué "El Cumbión." ~ Thom Jurek