La Firma

The Mexican ensemble la Firma originated in Monterrey and entered the scene through its 1998 debut album Como Una Estrella, which was followed by the well-received Para Recordar. Directed by singer/songwriter Luis Padilla, the group fuses local traditional sounds with an array of Latin rhythms that include Colombian cumbia and vallenato, then resurfaced in 2001 with Por El Amor de Una Mujer. Recorded in McAllen, TX, that release incorporates contributions from Plastilina Mosh and Intocable.