Los Fabulosos Cadillacs – La Luz del Ritmo
Reviewed by Sadie O., 3/12/09
Latin/Reggae/Funk/Punk/Dub from Argentina. They’ve been cool as hell for one helluva long time – and this is, I think, their best release since Vacos Vacios. The lead singer is distinctive and terrific, the bass and drums/percussion are hot, the horns are superb… Top stuff!
No FCCs I could spot. It’s all great, but I think 2, 7, 8 and 12 are best.
1. 4:05 ***very upbeat Latin Percussion intro, horn fanfare – Carnival vibe all the way. Uptempo swingy groove, celebratory.
2. 3:50 ****midtempo scratching and horns – funky and cool.
3. 3:54 **single squeep, then 5 seconds silence, then midtempo funky Latin Reggae with cowbells and a touch of punk.
4. 4:34 ***downtempo, swingy cumbia – totally sweet. Capello’s distinctive vocals really shine.
5. 3:42 *acoustic guitar and uptempo pop groove, sweet.. Maybe they’re channeling the Monkees?
6. 4:23 **how sweet! Downtempo, soulful cha cha…
7. 2:58 ****garage rock guitars with whammy bars, then foot-stomping cumbia with a bit of 60’s rock feel – a fine cover of the Clash classic.
8. 4:36 ****terrific bass-heavy dub skank with a lot of Latin percussion. Remake of one of their earlier hits, if you’re familiar with the Cadillacs canon…
9. 4:16 ** pretty midtempo lover’s rock skank, soulful vocals and interesting bass work. Changes into something a bit cinematic at the end.
10. 2:11 **uptempo surf whammy-bar, rock en espanol.
11. 5:07 **downtempo swingy skank with soulful sax – light and simple and nice. Goes all dubby midway through, with harmonica solo…
12. 5:34 ****uptempo funk cover of the Ian Dury classic mostly en Espanol. A bit of Hip Hop and a touch of dub, as well. Ends with electronic squeebbles.
13. 5:11 *marching snare and dings, solo vocals. Clearly a mournful vibe, but still with a nice sway. Gets BIG horns halfway along – “Nuevo Orleans funeral pop version” is a good description.