Various Artists - Tejano Roots

Texas-Mexican conjunto is �one of the most enduring musical traditions among Mexicans and Mexican Americans,� writes ethnomusicologist Manuel Pena. Starting with the music of both urban and rural Mexico, Tejano and conjunto musicians also incorporated musical influences from their Anglo-American, African American, and European (especially German and Czech) neighbors. In 1990, Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz acquired Ideal Records, a company that had a long history of recording Tejano and conjunto performers. Drawing from Ideal�s deep musical library, he compiled this rich sampler. The liner notes include a history of Tejano music and background information about each of the 24 tracks.