Grounded in tradition, shaped by artistry, and fueled by passion, Grammy-winning Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano made its name by taking its music to a new realm of creativity and audience engagement. Their fifth Smithsonian Folkways title, Tradición, Arte y Pasión drinks from the well of the expansive “golden age” of mariachi music in the 1940s and 1950s to artfully conjure a sound as fresh and contemporary today as it was then.

New, yet old, and exploiting the broad, sonorous palette of mariachi instrumentation, the album reflects Cano’s musical approach: “love, dedication, discipline, pride—and be aggressive.” Further, the album pays tribute to mariachi legend and group founder Nati Cano, who passed away in late 2014. 39 minutes, 36-page booklet with bilingual notes and photos.