Various Artists Look At My Soul: Latin Shade Of Texas Soul

Depending on where you're from or who you're talking to, you might hear Latin Soul referred to as Brown-Eyed Soul, Chicano Soul, Oldies, or Rolas. These bits of jargon describe a sound that is rooted in both Black and Brown music two cultures borrowing and exchanging ideas from one another, mixing them, and then laying them down on tape to create something special and original. This album is just like that. Adrian Quesada, a GRAMMY winner from Laredo, TX, first conceived the idea for this LP over a decade ago while being interviewed with Tejano legend Ruben Ramos. The two casually chatted between interview takes about Black Music and the influence it had on both of their formative years Ruben's being Soul and Adrian's being Hip-Hop. Today, Adrian is an in-demand producer and music director who is best known for his work with Black Pumas and Brownout; both of which have gained national recognition. A collector of Latin Soul records himself, Quesada wanted to explore the nexus of the Black and Brown sounds further to create what he calls a 'love letter' to Texas Latin Soul. This album is a collection of original compositions and carefully selected classics that embody the style of the golden era of Latin Soul. The songs themselves are recorded onto analog tape, with a few of them done entirely live in the studio a true component to the Latin Soul sound which embraced imperfection in exchange for energy on recordings. From the opening drum break and horn section of the Radiants' classic Ain't No Big Thing, to the original lowrider-esque Joey, there's a nostalgic connection drawn for the listener. Swirling and pulsing organs, reverb-soaked guitars and rimshots, big horn sections and harmonizing vocals - just a few ingredients that make up the warm sound of Latin Soul. The album plays like the dedication hour of your local radio station, a few cruisin' classics mixed with funky numbers and hip-shakers that all move into one another effortlessly. There is even a nod to the South of Border with Freddy Fender's Boogaloo En Monterrey, with lead vocals by Ruben Ramos, El Gato Negro himself an endearing gesture to his late and sorely missed friend.