Mas Alla Del Sol

Although he was diagnosed with cancer in 1999, norteno artist Joan Sebastian seems to gain more vibrancy with each successive recording. 2006's MAS ALL DEL SOL brims with life in the form of bright horn arrangements, bouncing rhythms, and passionate vocal performances. The music is classic, mariachi-flavored norteno, but Sebastian's sensitive way with a phrase gives the whole an added resonance. Whether on up-tempo dance numbers or plaintive ballads, Sebastian shows here that his long, impressive career is in no danger of losing steam.