LOS FABULOCOS FEATURING KID RAMOS "DOS" Source: Doctor Bluesman Date: 02/2011 Writer: Doctor Bluesman

The great strength of rock ‘n’ roll, America’s lasting cultural contribution to the world, is the multi-culturalism that produced it in the late 40s and early 50s. The blues, first and foremost as our only truly original art form, along with country, swing jazz and folk music combined to forge a revolutionary sound that was further energized over time by various ethnic groups. Richie Valens and other Mexican-Americans were the first to shake hot spice from south of the border into the stew. Now Los Fabulocos from East L.A. are the new “Latino Kings” of red hot ”Cali-Mex” music. Founded in 2004 by singer/accordionist Jose Cuevos and drummer Mike Molina, they were joined by bassist James Barrios and demon guitarist Kid Ramos in 2005 and 2007, respectively. The resulting juggernaut have created a fiery salsa of wildly passionate and exuberant dance party music from the tastiest ingredients of blues, Tex-Mex, classic Bakersfield honky tonk, R&B and zydeco on their second release, the appropriately-titled ”Dos” on Delta Groove Records. The 12 mostly original tunes like “The Vibe” sizzle like fajitas on the griddle while the melancholy ”I Never Thought” is made for a slow drag with your main squeeze. The strutting rock of Ramos’ “My Brother’s Keeper” is a haunting cautionary tale with Biblical references that “Kid” drives with speaker-frying licks. Ry Cooder’s ”Los Chucos Suaves” bops to the habenera even as the Latin-powered version of Little Richard’s “Keep a Knockin,’” in Spanish and English, only confirms the vitality of cross-fertilization. So grab a six-pack of Dos Equis beer and join the feast for body and soul. Bi-lingualism not required, only a love and desire for a deeply satisfying musical experience.