4 is being hailed by fans and critics alike as Kumbia Kings’ most ambitious, creative, and danceable album ever. The group is still rooted in the universal Latin rhythm of cumbia, fused with globally popular hip-hop. But led by producer/composer/bassist A.B. Quintanilla III, Kumbia Kings have created a vibrant, fresh mix of sounds that includes R&B, reggae, rock, salsa, and vallenato. 4’s production values match those of any major “mainstream” release. With contributions from Juan Gabriel and El Gran Silencio, up-tempo first single “No Tengo Dinero” is the musical collaboration of the year – Juan Gabriel is Mexico’s most successful living singer/songwriter, and El Gran Silencio, form Monterrey, Mexico, is rock-en-Español’s most cutting-edge group, mixing barrio slang, rap and Colombian rhythms into its street-grounded sound. The cut is a multi-format phenomenon – the original version is topping pop and regional Mexican playlists, while the meringue version, featuring Puerto Rican trio Limi-T 21, has caught on at tropical radio. But Kumbia King’s reach stretches even further – 4 contains, yes, “four” R&B tracks in English, featuring the smooth Francisco “Frankie J” Bautista on vocals. Ballad “Don’t Wanna Try” is picking up Top 40 and Urban airplay across the nation, but it’s not the first time the group has made the crossover – their Amor, Familia y Respeto cut “U Don’t Love Me” went to top 10 in several major markets. Other highlights include the tasty “Under My Skin,” featuring rapper Organized Rhymes, and a special hip-hop reworking of the old-school NKOTB classic “Please Don’t Go Girl.” A.B. is gratified by the respect his group gets from Latin music royalty. Mexico’s greatest alternative pop star, Aleks Syntek, duets with the Kings’ DJ Kane on the soaring R&B cumbia “Llevame al Cielo,” while Grammy-winning collective Ozomatli brings East L.A. to the anthemic, intense “Mi Gente.” The prevalence of top-notch guest vocalists is another indicator of how A.B., who describes himself as “a Mexican born in the United States,” is influenced by R&B and hip-hop. As a kid, A.B. was encouraged by his family to follow his passion for music and learned to play bass at age 12. The older brother of Selena, he wrote and produced many of her timeless hits, and won a Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album as producer of her 1993 set Selena Live. Kumbia Kings have won three Billboard Music Awards, 13 Tejano Music Awards, plus honors from Premio Lo Nuestro, Furia Musical magazine and Ritmo Latino. They’ve also racked up several gold and platinum RIAA certifications and two Grammy nominations. In 1997, A.B. founded Los Kumbia Kings with keyboardist/arranger Cruz Martinez. KJ Kane, Frankie J and Nino B share vocal duties.