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Blues Underground Network |
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Los FabuLocos
"Dos"
With their Sophomore release, "Dos",
Los FabuLocos featuring Kid Ramos, has taken the next logical step in the
evolution of their style of music, advancing the sound first brought
to us through the popularity of bands such as, Los Lobos, The Fabulous
Thunderbirds, and Texas Tornadoes, to name a few, and putting their own
unique and very addictive stamp on it.
Their style of music has been referred to as Cali-Mex and
certainly after a few seconds into "Dos", you plainly see why. But wait,
there is more, something special is also part of this very popular
Southern California band and that is the nice tinge of Cajun Blues, that
is brought to their mix courtesy of Vocalist and Accordion player, Jesse
Cuevas.
The name of the Album "Dos", which of
course means two, has a bit more significance than just being their
second release. It took only Two days to lay down all the tracks, but
before that their was Two years of prep work
done first and once listening to the final outcome of
that lengthy adventure, it becomes quite
obvious that that time was very well spent.
Consisting of 12 Tracks, "Dos"
doesn't give you a break and further more, taking a break is certainly the
last thing on your mind once you start listening to this Album. The lineup
for "Dos" has stayed the same, which still includes Jesus Cuevas
(Vocals/Accordion/Bass/Acoustic Guitar), Kid Ramos (Guitar/Bajo
Sexto/Baritone Guitar/Acoustic Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harmony
Vocals), James Barrios (Bass/Harmony Vocals), and Mike Molina
(Drums). Special Guests performing on "Dos", on various tracks included
Manuel "Big Manny" Gonzales (Rubboard/Timbales/Harmony), Raul Medrano
(Guiro/Tambourine/Shaker), and Ron Dziubla (Saxophone). With all
those magnificent Artists on one Album, you know right away you are in for a
musical treat and believe me you get it. Latin flare is
also added to "Dos" as 4
of the Tracks are sung in that language.
When it comes to creativity, this
band even manages to go beyond the music, with Mike
Molina producing the original “Day of
the Dead” type painting for the “Dos” cover.
If their first Album was the
key that started the engine, this release certainly has them
taking off down the road ,
full bore, with no foreseeable end in sight.
With yet another excellent Album under their belts, Los FabuLocos,
continues to successfully entrench their style
of music in the American Psyche and Beyond.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
Additional Info
Tracklist
1 Everything Will Turn Out
Alright
2 The Vibe 3 I Never Thought 4 Los Chucos Suaves 5 She Wakes Up Cryin' 6 Una Pura y Dos Con Sal 7 What's In My Heart 8 The Coffee Song 9 Un Puno De Tierra 10 My Brother's Keeper 11 Keep A Knockin' 12 Calmen Su Rollo Listen To Samples Here... About Los FabuLocos Los Fabulocos are one of those
groups that come along every so often to remind us that American music is
alive and doing just fine. Whether they are singing their brand of the
Cali-Mex sound in English or Spanish one can’t help but feel their soulful
passion for the things they sing about—love, heartache and working class
life in America. Los Fabulocos play with enough energy to power a small fleet of motor vehicles. It's a fuel that burns full- throttle, ignited by the heat of soulful guitar and accordion solos that will make your heart bleed. With the world famous "Kid Ramos" taking the over lead guitar an bajo sexto responsibilities, you are guaranteed to be blown away... Los Fabulocos play songs about complex things; love, family, home and lost loves. While emotions connect, melodies soar. 95 years of combined playing experience provide the audience with a musical experience that will not be soon forgotten. Los Fabulocos is accordionist/vocalist Jesus Cuevas, bassist/vocalist James Barrios, drummer Mike Molina, and guitarist/vocalist Kid Ramos - four working-class musicians who write and play music for a wide array of working class fans. Upon the release of their self-titled debut album which was later acknowledged as the "quintessential roots record of 2008," Los Fabulocos' unique brand of Cali-Mex was immediately embraced and praised by critics in newspapers and publications such as the Music Connection, La Opinion, OC Register, Houston Press and El Paso Times. The band performs for crowds that range from a backyard party of 30 people to European festivals of 30,000 fans. Their Southwestern blend of blues, zydeco, '50s rock 'n' roll, rhythm & blues, and traditional Mexican music has attracted a dedicated fan base whose broad appeal stems from honest musicianship, lyrics that touch the soul and good old fashioned hard work. When commenting on what comprises a typical Los Fabulocos performance guitarist Kid Ramos explains, "We mix it up... We play songs in Spanish, then we'll do a Fats Domino song, then we'll play a blues, and then we'll do a Buck Owens or Johnny Cash song. People look and go, 'What?' Then, all of the sudden, they just start dancing and having smiles on their faces." Whether you're listening to one of their CDs in your car, or have the good fortunes to hear them play live, Los Fabulocos will expand your comfort zone, speak to your heart, and defy you to sit still! Los Fabulocos Feat Kid Ramos @ Cozy's 2007
Websites: http://www.myspace.com/losfabulocos
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