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Genre: Latin
Release Date: 07/20/2004

First, the disclaimer: the Candido who is heard on Corazón Mágico isn't Candido Camero, the Cuban percussion giant who was born in Havana on April 22, 1921. That Candido, who turned 83 in 2004, is known for Afro-Cuban music, salsa and Latin jazz, but this considerably younger Candido -- the one who heads Candido y Su Huella Norteña -- is making his mark in another area of Latin music: Mexican norteño (also known as conjunto or Tex-Mex). And if Corazón Mágico is any indication, this Candido is a talented artist in his own right. No one will mistake this 2004 release for an example of the sleek, pop-minded grupero or Tejano styles. In contrast to grupero acts like Conjunto Primavera, Priscila y Sus Balas de Plata, and los Angeles de Charly -- whose work is essentially Latin pop with Mexican overtones -- Candido y Su Huella Norteña are a lot more hardcore in their approach to regional Mexican music. There is nothing wrong with grupero or Tejano per se -- Conjunto Primavera and similar artists are, from a Latin pop standpoint, enjoyably good at what they do -- but that isn't where Candido is coming from. Instead, Corazón Mágico caters to those who like their norteño pure and uncut. If you think of bands like los Tigres del Norte, los Rieleros del Norte, and los Huracanes del Norte as norteño's gold standards, it's easy to appreciate exuberant, infectious, polka-minded tracks like "En las Cantinas," "Arriba Zacatecas," and "Ascencion Galicia." Candido's group won't win any awards for innovation or originality, but if Corazón Mágico is derivative, it is also focused and enjoyably consistent. Groundbreaking? Definitely not. Inspired, pleasing and heartfelt? Absolutely.

~Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

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Candido - Main Performer

Release Date: 07/20/2004
Genre: latin