Soul Disguise
On this fine solo-album debut, it comes as no surprise to find veteranLos Lobossinger-songwriter-guitarist Cesar Rosas revisiting the R&B;, soul, roots-rock, and norteño ingredients that made his East L.A. band's musical stew so compelling. What's revealing is Rosas's willingness to deconstruct his Grammy-winning band's sound back to its constituent components, makingSoul Disguiseplay like a loving journey across borders both musical and national. Rosas largely eschews the slick production values of '90s-vintage Los Lobos for considerably more grit and funk. Here he tackles with playful abandon everything from traditional Tex-Mex (his own "Angelito" and a cover of "Adios Mi Vida," both with legendFlaco Jiminezadding his distinctive accordion flourishes) to a swampy version of Ike Turner's "You've Got to Lose." Rosas stubs his toe only once, on the '70s-ish acoustic utopian ballad "Better Way." Similar journeys have been made by everyone fromSteve MillerandRy Cooderto preclichéZZ Top; it's Rosas's excursions into Stax and New Orleans R&B; territory (like the delicious "Struck" and the funky "Shack and Shambles"), along with his sharp border-music and blues-roots sense, that makesSoul Disguiseso distinct and satisfying.--Jerry McCulley