A fantastic accordion-driven CD from Accordion Great and Conjunto Hall of Famer Ruben Vela, king of the "dance hall sound." This irresistible CD comes with bonus tracks of his hit single, the cumbia "La Papaya". Enjoy listening and dancing to the album that was nominated for "Album of the Year" in 1997.

About the Artist:
Inducted into the Conjunto Hall of Fame in 1983 for his major contributions to the conjunto genre, Ruben Vela's career as an accordionist/vocalist and band leader spans over forty years. He received his first accordion, a two-button Hohner at the age of eleven and by the age of twelve he was performing in public. In the fifties he was a frequent guest on the Martin Rosales live radio show on KGBT- a pioneering radio station of conjunto in the Valley. Ruben Vela greatly helped popularize the conjunto genre, broadening its fan base. He is one of the most popular and prolific conjunto accordion masters performing today. Born in San Antonio, Texas and raised in the Rio Grande Valley where he still lives, Ruben Vela was greatly influenced by watching conjunto pioneers such as Narciso Martinez, Valerio Longoria, and in particular Tony de la Rosa perform at local dancehalls, weddings, and quincienieras. His distinctive style is often called the "dance hall sound"- a style that makes you want to get up and dance the night away.  His repertoire includes polkas, rancheras, and cumbias. It is with the cumbia that Ruben Vela has had a great resurgence in his career. His cumbia hits "El Coco Rayado" and "La Papaya" have greatly broadened his fan base to an international level. He has also been a major influence on the new generation of conjunto accordionists performing today.

SONG LIST

1. Carta Del Recuerdo
2. Mi Ultima Carta
3. La Papaya
4. Cuatro Velas
5. Quisiera

6. Me Voy Al Amanecer
7. Besos Y Copas
8. Amor De Mi Vida
9. Quiero Besarte A La Noche
10. El Fandango
11. La Papaya (Power Mix Radio Version)
12. La Papaya (Power Mix - Extended Club Version)