REVIEW: Cesar Rosas, Soul Disguise (Rykodisc)
- Tracey Bleile
The next step in a long, industrious career as a member of a well-known band (or many bands) can sometimes be the solo effort. You've already got the fan base, now you gotta see if they want to hear you on your own. In the case of Cesar Rosas, a founding part of Los Lobos, a Latin Playboy, and most recently the California/Texas supergroup Los Super Seven, his release Soul Disguise, is a prime candidate to reach said fans and so many more. Soul Disguise serves to deliver this extension of Rosas and what he has brought to these projects all these years in fine solo-artist form. Besides, it's just plain fun to be in charge for once, and he takes full advantage. This disc is a return to the pre-_Kiko Los Lobos sound, lots more stripped-down and tight blues ("Tough To Handle"), and that unique blend of Nortena (featuring The Man Flaco Jimenez on accordion) and roots rock (that all-important title track) that took Rosas and his bandmates from a Latin/Mexican-American audience to encompass any red-blooded dancin' fool who comes along. "Shack and Shambles" has enough soulful sax groove and overheated Hammond to transport you instantaneously to that dark smoky club that lives for your ears, not your wallet. "Treat Me Right" and "Racing The Moon" might as well be the backdrop to a basement dance party that ends sometime around the wee hours of the morning in time to drive your baby home to the disc's slow burnin' ender, "E. Los Ballad #13".
The only place Disguise suffers a bit is the dual-role Rosas played as producer. It's a bit too thick and thumpy in spots, even for the blues, and there are some definite flattened spots that could have used some push in the mixing phase. But for doing it all himself, and having a great many excellent musician friends around him, Cesar Rosas is hiding nothing in Soul Disguise. This is open, honest enjoyable music showing the staying power of the combination of classic American influence and a classy musician at work.
