Best of 1996
Mexico

When you think of Mexican music, you probably think of a band of Mariachi's singing beautiful boleros. Although there are several incredible artists who do perform this genre of music, very successfully, you will not find many listed on my year's best list from Mexico. In order to familiarize people who are not from Mexico with another type of music, this list contains primarily pop and rock artists from Mexico (with one noteable exception - Juan Gabriel, the "king" of typical Mexican music, who participated on TWO huge albums from this year!). This is not to say that there are not several deserving artists who perform Mariachi style, or boleros, but that is not where the focus is for this list. With that in mind, please find, in alphabetical order, my best of 1996, selected from the immense talent pool in Mexico, and featuring primarily rock and pop artists:

• Alejandra Guzman: Cambio De Piel (BMG)
  Mexico's premiere female rocker belts out the hitsùshe rocks, and rocks hard! Often compared with Melissa Etheridge, first singles Ven and Todo La Mitad were smashes at radio - look for more hits to follow.
   
  
• Café Tacuba: Avalanche de Exitos (WEA)
  Features the unique first single Chilanga Banda sung in a Mexican slang so strong even native speakers may need a glossary!! Other cuts noteworthy include Ojala Que Llueva Café penned by Juan Luis Guerra, and No Controles.
   
  
• Emmanuel: Amor Total (Polygram)
  Features Amor Total, theme from the popular telenovela La Culpa and a variety of styles on songs such as La Fuerza De La Vida and Un Dia, Otra Dia y Otro - another incredible effort from reknowned singer and songwriter Emmanuel.
   
  
• Jaguares: El Equilibrio de Los Jaguares (BMG)
  The amazing Saul Hernandez (formerly of Caifanes) does it again. This album is selling HUGE in the US and abroad - singles Detras de Los Cerros and Dime Jaguar - sure to have continued success in the new year!
   
  
• Juan Gabriel: El Mexico Que Si Nos Fue (BMG) and Las Tres Senoras (EMI)
  The incomparable Juan Gabriel delivers two of the years best, with his own El Mexico Que Si Nos Fue and Las Tres Senoras his collaboration with Lola Beltran, Amalia Mendoza and Lucha Villa - especially noteworthy because it was Lola Beltran's final recording before her unfortunate death this year, just a few months after the album's completion. An incredible album of Mexican music.
   
  
• Luis Miguel: Nada Es Igual (WEA)
  "El Rey" (the king) of Mexican pop music delivers his latest album of pop and r&b hits, including lead single Suena the theme from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and follow up smashes Dame and Como Es Posible.
   
  
• Mana: Cuando Los Angeles Lloran (WEA)
  Released in 1995, but still selling strong through 1996, this album from the premiere group of Rock En Espanol takes the group to a new level, with singles such as Selva Negra, Hundido En Un Rincon, Dejame Entrar and the title track. Mana continues to pave the way for Mexican rockers to break through the language barrier by consistently delivering music so good it doesn't matter if you understand the lyrics or not!! A must have for every serious music afficionado!!
   
  
• Ricardo Arjona: Si El Norte Fuera El Sur (Sony)
  Featuring first single by the same name, reknowned pop/rocker Arjona does it again with his latest release.
   
  
• Ricky Martin: A Medio Vivir (Sony)
  Although he is Puerto Rican, this multi platinum album was released by Sony Mexico, qualifying this superstar for the list. Pop/rock/dance album hard to classify as anything other than a smash hit - several singles such as Te Extrano, Fuego de Noche, Bon Bon de Azucar and the international best seller Maria which is also remixed and released as a single on Columbia Records. Look for sultry ballad Volveras (penned by Martin) to explode at radio in the new year prompting even more sales.
   
  
• Thalia: En Extasis (EMI)
  Mexico's pop diva delivers another successful set including singles Gracias A Dios and Piel Morena, produced by Emilio Estefan Jr. Still selling strong.
   
  

Copyright © 1996 Allison Winkler