Cesar Rosas: Soul Disguise

As Los Lobos celebrates its 25th anniversary, it comes as no surprise that a few of the group's members are itching for a break. However, given Los Lobos' well-documented eclecticism, it does come as a surprise that Cesar Rosas was able to find some music different enough from that of his primary band to make it worth an extracurricular exploration. Rosas, one of Los Lobos' two vocalists and a talented multi-instrumentalist, has long reflected the bluesier side of the band, and his solo bow, Soul Disguise, gives him an opportunity to let loose in a way familiar to anyone who's ever seen one of Los Lobos' amazing live performances. Of course, as proven by the traditional sounds of the Los Super Seven album, Rosas also knows his way around the Tex-Mex he grew up with; consequently, Soul Disguise offers up a casual balance of country, blues, rock, and Mexican music that covers all the bases. The title track sounds like something Foreigner would have written had the band hailed from East L.A., while "Angelito" piles on the percussion and Flaco Jiminez's accordion like it was barrio barbecue time. Rosas' tough voice has always stood in stark contrast to his Los Lobos mate David Hidalgo's plaintive tenor, and hearing Rosas wail away on his own, both vocally and through his guitar, is a nice change of pace—though "Treat Me Right," a little taste of Latin lounge that's lighter on the bluster and blistering solos, is no less effective. While Hidalgo's haunting work in The Latin Playboys is certainly more inventive, Rosas' Soul Disguise should still be sought out for its dedication to simplicity, soul, and the sheer joy of music making.