In 1986 Villazon joined with accordion player Raul Martinez to record two albums, Los Virtuosos and Vamo' Amanece, under the CBS record label (now Columbia Records). The award-winning song "El amor es un cultivo" recorded in this album became a major hit, along with "Sed de alma" and "Matica de toronjil". In 1987 they recorded their third album named Los Virtuosos Volumen II, producing two major hits; "Recuérdame" written by singer and composer Gustavo Gutiérrez Cabello and "Yo tenia un amigo" written by composer Rafael Manjarrez. Personal differences arose between Villazon and Martinez and they decided to separate.