Nortec Collective

It was only a matter of time before some bored bordertown kid got the idea of taking the Norteño sounds of northern Mexico and putting them through the techno wringer. Credit for the original idea seems to go to a Tijuana teen named Pepe Mogt. But on this groundbreaking album, he shares the glory with a number of co-conspirators, who pooled their efforts to produce this strange and wonderful compilation. Don’t be embarrassed if you’ve never heard of Bostich, Fussible or Clorofila—outside of a few very hip Tijuana dancehalls, no one else has either. Instead, just enjoy the pleasure of discovery as you bounce to the house and hip-hop beats and thrill to the radically altered sounds of tubas, snare drums and accordions that float in and out in dubwise fashion. Highlights include Plankton Man’s vaguely creepy "Elemento N" and the groundbreaking "Polaris" by Bostich.