“rosas_cesar”
Cesar Rosas
Soul Disguise
Rykodisc
Cesar Rosas, co-founder of Los Lobos, plays it straight on his debut solo disc. Unlike the initial offering from the Latin Playboys, David Hidalgo’s side project, which was a trippy soundscape, Rosas sounds like he’s got his feet firmly planted on a So-Cal roadhouse bandstand. The rootsy blues rock and accordion-propelled romps sound fine, and the vocal style that highlighted many a Lobos release is in fine form on cuts such as Ike Turner’s “You’ve Got To Lose” and Rosas originals like “Better Way” and “Little Heaven.” Fans of Los Lobos’ original sound ( How Will The Wolf Survive days) will enjoy this record, but those expecting the high production of the last few Lobos records will be disappointed. This is soulful, bluesy rock and roll. Ain’t nothing wrong in that.
Rykodisc, Shetland Park, 27 Congress St., Salem, MA 01970; http://www.rykodisc.com
