Los Originales de San Juan

by Stephen Thomas ErlewineLos Originales de San Juan is a Norteno Quartet based in Southern California. They formed in the early '90s and steadily built up a following on the West Coast and the Southwest, as well as Mexico, through steady touring and a string of independent releases. Their singles "El Clavo" and "El Jardinero" caused controversy on Norteno and Tejano radio, because both told stories of drug dealers. "El Jardinero" became a massive Norteno hit and led the group to a contract with EMI Latin. Their first album for the label, Cantina De Mi Barrio, was released late in 1997. Cantos de la Revolucion -- a collection of songs composed during the Mexican revolution -- followed in 1999, as did Mexicano Hasta la Madre. Caspa del Diablo was issued a year later.