Rick Trevino & Los Super Seven
Mi Son

Review by Steven Stone
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CD Stock Number: Vanguard Records 775-2

 

  Pardon my cultural jingoism, but practically the only time I hear Latin music is when I'm in a Mexican Restaurant. Sure, I've got some Los Lobos albums, The Gourds, even a Flaco Jimenez CD kicking around, but I'm certainly not a Hispanic roots rock devotee. But Rick Trevino, this guy knocks me out. Why you ask? Perhaps it's his voice, or maybe it's the songs, all chosen by Trevino, that get me. Either way, this CD rocks, rolls, and shimmies. Although Trevino has made three popular albums, and had several top-ten country singles, this is his first album of exclusively Hispanic music.

Trevino is joined on Mi Son by Los Lobos members Cesar Rosas, Louie Perez, David Hidalgo, and the album is produced by Los Lobos' sax player, Steve Berlin. He first worked with the Los Lobos crew on the Grammy-award winning CD Los Super Seven. Other luminaries include Conrad Lozano on guitarron, Cougar Estrada on percussiohn, Alberto Sala on piano, Ramon Stagnaro on tres, Rene Camacho on bass, and Raul Malo, Ruben Ramos, and Martha Gonzalez on background vocals.

This is a very slick-sounding album. On "Cupido" Cesar Rosas' guitar is processed in such a way as to introduce the kind of flutter you associate with a cheap cassette recorder. It works. Throughout the CD there are subtle effects and studio tricks that enhance the "authentic" feel of songs without sounding gimmicky.

If you enjoy Mexican-American music you should hear Mi Son. Even if you're not an aficionado, you may well find that "Mi Son" has the sort of infectious appeal that keeps it close to your CD player.

Enjoyment: 90

Sound Quality: 90