The Strachwitz Frontera Collection is the largest repository of
commercially produced Mexican and Mexican American vernacular recordings
in existence. More than 40,000 recordings, all produced during the first
half of the 20th century, have been digitized and are available to
researchers and the general public online. Although border music is the
focus of the collection, it also includes notable recordings of other
Latin forms, including salsa, mambo, sones, and rancheras.
Agustin Gurza explores the Frontera Collection, discussing genre,
themes, and some of the thousands of performers whose recordings are
archived. He considers the cultural significance of the recordings,
notably what the lyrics reveal about relationships between not only
Anglos and Mexicans but also Mexican nationals and other immigrant and
ethnic groups. Jonathan Clark focuses on recordings by mariachi
ensembles. Topical lists of recordings and a guide to the collection
with suggestions for searching the online files complete the volume.