Cesar Rosas
Soul Disguise

The best rock-blues album by Los Lobos that Los Lobos never recorded. Let me explain. The now three-decade-long career of the Wolves from the Barrio has had moments of absolute excellence between the '80s and early '90s (and I'm not talking about "La Bamba," which is a soundtrack, but albums like "By The Light Of The Moon," "The Neighborhood," and "Kiko," the latter unmissable). The latest records, on the other hand, have either been excessively devoted to pure experimentation ("Colossal Head") or such genre mishmashes where it's unclear where they're heading (the last two) and, ultimately, quite boring, especially in excessively getting lost among Latin and Spanish influences.

Evidently, guitarist Cesar Rosas felt the need for a moment of relaxation to unleash all his passion for rock-blues and R&B. He succeeded excellently with this "Soul Disguise," which may also seem an exercise in style, but it is anything but banal and not impactful. Additionally, the album flows pleasantly, with some tracks "hitting" like trains, and there's not a dull moment. Okay, there are a couple of tracks with a "Latin" aroma, but unlike some tracks by the "parent company," they are anything but boring and are quite enjoyable as a break amid beautiful guitar riffs. He also has a full and warm voice that fits perfectly into the rock context.

Among the most brilliant tracks, I would highlight the opening "Little Heaven," "Shack and Shambles," the acoustic ballad "Better Way," certainly "Soul Disguise," perhaps the most impactful track of the album, great solid rock-blues atmosphere, with guitar work and Hammond organ inserts that, in these cases, are like cheese on macaroni.
I also really like the sweet "Adios mi vida," accordion and Tex-Mex that are anything but boring.
Even the beautiful rock'n'roll of "Racing the Moon" fits perfectly with the rest of the album.
Ultimately, if Cesar wanted to reclaim his rock-blues passions, with this album he hit the mark perfectly, well done!