Customer Reviews

Latin Playboys

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I first bought this CD about 2 years ago, I couldn't believe how good it was--and it is much better than the follow-up, 'Dose.' It is clear that the experimentation on this CD seriously affected the musical direction of subsequent Los Lobos albums (heard 'Colossal Head' or 'This Time' yet?) The music here is simply intoxicating--soulful, mezmerizing, yet rough, fragmented, and minimalistic at the same time. I won't go into individual tracks since the album is best listened to in one complete sitting (which shouldn't be too difficult since it clocks in at under 40 minutes). I often play this CD while laying in bed, waiting to fall asleep. How can an album featuring so much distorted vocals, sharp drum beats, buzz-sawed guitars, and other electronically-concocted sounds be so beautiful and so musically enriching? Well, it is. This is a CD not just for Los Lobos fans, but for anyone interested in well-crafted experimental music that is not the least bit self-indulgent. A solid, solid effort.

This side project by the guys from LOS LOBOS is a masterpiece.
Close in style to such wonders as the 'big wolves' KIKO and
COLOSSAL HEAD, it borders on magical in it's brilliance. If you
like either of those offerings you will probably enjoy this
effort. Experimental and somewhat low key, their roots shine
through nonetheless. Head music, that will, at the same time, get
your feet moving. Nearly undescribable (at least to me) in it's
originality, LATIN PLAYBOYS is a must for any LOS LOBOS fan.
Thanks, and may your kindness be repaid threefold.
Tom

David Hildago's masterpiece. This is not just a simple 4 track recording. It incorporates Hildago's 4 track cassette demos left over from the KIKO sessions and adds sounds to them. Where one starts and the other begins is the mystery. That is just a matter of fact, the interest comes from these gems being recognized as worth messing with. Who cares how they recorded it and what fi it is, it is just such and inspired stroke of casual genius that it will sound good in any era.
There was little chance that recreating this on a follow up would hold this new standard, and DOSE does not come close. It sounds like what this album would have been without the inspiration and genius.

I felt compelled to write a short review as a corrective to the other two reviews I saw on this page that can only be described as coming form narrow-minded fools with no imagination or appreciation of genuine music. Go back to listening to Los Lonely Boize you lightweights! I've been a Los Lobos fan since their beginnings and still am one today, and the period surrounding the Latin Playboys project yielded two of their most interesting and fantastic albums (Kiko and Colossal Head) as well as the 1999 follow-up album Dose. In the mid-90's I forced this album on nearly everyone I knew -- And they ALL thanked me afterwards. It doesn't take much to convert a real music fan to this album. It literally overflows with creativity. It's simulateanously avante-garde and experimental yet also accessible, melodious and constantly intriguing. I have never, ever felt "bored" listening to this album. If you need pure testosterone to keep you awake, then I guess you might find this record beguiling. But for the rest of you, don't miss out on this amazing record. Hard to believe it's 10-years-old already. (By the way, if you were lucky enough to see the small tour that went out in support of 1999's "Dose", then you will know what a fantastic bunch of musicians these guys are.

I would say this record would appeal to a broad range of open-minded people, from fans of Tom Waits to Captain Beefheart, from Caetano Veloso to Radiohead. And yes, Los Lobos fans too!

This cd is truly "out there". For this recording, Mitchell Froom, Tchad Blake, and members of Los Lobos throw time signatures, clarity, and tune out the window to create a collection of haunting music. I've always considered this cd as the soundtrack to a dream. It's very abstract, and certainly not for everyone, but it's truly creative and shows you just how far the envelope can be pushed while still retaining musical quality.

Don't let the name put you off. The music is truely exciting. I think anyone could appreciate some if not all of the tracks. There is a combination of blues, jazz, latin, and the Latin Playboy's own unique sound. It gets me dancing and singing everytime I listen.

Heresy? Don't mean I don't like LOS LOBOS. When I saw LOS LOBOS live about 2 years ago it was their take on a puro Mexicano song that got both me and my parents goin'. The roots rock stuff, well, just never has been as satisfying for me.

LATIN PLAYBOYS, on the other hand, this album over the second one, man oh man, I can't get enough of it. I guess two of the LOS LOBOS boys get more experimental with a coupla gringos to perfection. I saw them live about 1997 or so and it was just as enjoyable.

They use a giant tuba to great effect and generally let loose going places that LOS LOBOS never does. It's a place I prefer, basically no rootsyness at all. It's like the finest Chicano music with no musical association with SANTANA or MALO. The sophisticated musical abilities of the musicians in LATIN PLAYBOYS makes this record soar.

When these guys get experimental its not odd or strange places they go, it's a path that feels right and all I know is, this is one of my all time favorite albums. chrisbct@hotmail.com

I bought this CD back in '94 when it came out, and really enjoyed it. Then, as happens sometimes, the CD got relegated to the "infrequently played" stack for a few years.

I rediscovered this gem in the process of transferring my CDs to the ipod. And I'm here to tell you, it is a gem. Here, David and Louie get to do all the fun stuff that doesn't quite "fit" on the regular Los Lobos.

There's definitely a psilocybin glow going on here. So, if you want to find out what happens to Los Lobos after they drink a litle magic tea, check this out. Great stuff.

I felt that as a whole this a weak CD. Six of the tracks are pretty hard to listen to so I feel they throw of the feel of the album. I start to get the feel for the disc than a really bad track comes on and ruins everything for me. But Crayon sun and Forever Night Shade Mary were the best by far. I bought this disc solely for Forever Night Shade Mary. Its a beautiful subtle track that deserves a listen. the bass is present but really soft and laid back, and the guitar is incredibly mellow. All the instruments melt together so well in that song. Overall this album is very experimental, reminiscent of the Velvet Underground in some ways. a cheap used copy is all i can really justify.

Being a fan of Los Lobos I felt a nice side project could be worth
a roll of the dice. Well, this one missed the mark and even though a few weeks old, I can't get it back in the rotation. The songs/tunes are just not developed for me. But hey if the radical departure was the outlet that artist was looking for, then I just did not connect.
So if you are expecting the Los Lobos type rock feel, be advised....