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This year, Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez celebrates 15 years in the music business with a new album, “Viento A Favor (Favorable Winds).”

Fernandez — son of famed rancheras singer and actor, Vicente Fernandez — has swapped his charro suit for a designer one as he bounces back and forth from a rancheras singer to a pop singer.

“Viento A Favor” is a pop album with 12 tracks all about falling in and out of love. And it’s here Fernandez demonstrates, once again, he has one of the best voices in Spanish music today and is a master of delivery.

In the past, it’s been said that Vicente reportedly bumped heads with Alejandro for crossing over into the pop music market.

But perhaps, the older Fernandez should be proud that his son’s talented voice can reach twice as many listeners and manage to dominate both music genres.

The first single from the album, “Te Voy A Perder (I’m Going To Lose You),” has received a lot of airplay on local Spanish radio stations. In the song, Fernandez comes to grips with the fact his love is leaving him.

Fernandez’s first stage appearance was when his was only 3 years old when he sang the song, “Alejandra.”

The Spanish media and his legions of fans affectionately call him “El Potrillo (The Little Colt).”

And although he’s rumored to be a ladies’ man, Fernandez is also a father of five children.

The album is mostly filled with ballads — there’s a few upbeats ones like “A Manos Llenos (Handfuls)” and “Eres (You Are).” Both numbers are about finding love and rejoicing in it.

“Eres” is a pop song twinged with vallenato music, complete with an accordion and electric guitar. Be sure to get out those dancing shoes for some serious cumbia dancing for this one.

On “Amor Gitano (Gypsy Love)” — Fernandez’s duet with American mega-hit pop singer Beyoncé — it’s a fast, uptempo flamenco song.

Fernandez and Beyoncé’s vocals match beautifully in this declaration of love. Her Spanish is flawless. Her boyfriend rapper Jay-Z better keep his eyes on with these two.

With the song, “Sin Consideración (Without Consideration),” Fernandez has a long talk with his heart. As the lyrics tell the listener, he blames his heart for not having any consideration and falling in love again without asking him first.

However, also in the same song, Fernandez offers his heart an easy out by saying, “Sometimes, it hurts being me.”

This is a great song to listen to after a break up or during the confusion/denial/discovery period one goes through before realizing he/she has fallen in love.

Many ranchera fans would say this album isn’t a smart move by Fernandez, but his most loyal fans and fans of good music will beg to differ.

Fernandez can sing a heartfelt love song, whether it’s a ranchera or pop — apparently, and at least for him, the genre doesn’t matter.

You can see Alejandro Fernandez on tour Sept. 2 at the Selland Arena at Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center in Fresno, Calif. and on Sept. 7, 8, and 9 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City.

Visit: www.ticketmaster.com for tickets and more information.


"Viento a Favor"
•  Norte
•  12 tracks
•  Available at: Circuit City, Target, Best Buy, Ritmo Latino
•  Price: $12.99 to $16.98


Participe y Gane
Do you want to own Alejandro Fernandez’s new album?

Be the first to answer the following question to win a copy of “Viento A Favor” — ¡buena suerte!:

What’s the name of the song that Alejandro Fernandez does as a duet with Beyoncé? E-mail your answer to: lpena@masbakersfield.com


Notes: We have winners — Sandra Villarreal won “Timbaland Presents: Shock Value” and Josue Gonzalez won Miguel Bosé’s “Papito.”  ¡Felicidades!

More notes: Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias has released the video for “Somebody’s Me,” the second single off his new album ,“Insomniac.” Tickets for Iglesias’ Dec. 7 concert at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE go on sale Friday, Aug. 24 at: www.ticketmaster.com