LOS FABULOCOS FEATURING KID RAMOS Source: Philadelphia Inquirer Date: 09/2008 Writer: Nick Cristiano

Three veterans of Southern California's Chicano music scene team up here with the always terrific blues/roots-rock guitarist Kid Ramos, and the "Cali-Mex" sound that results is a rocking blast.

Los Fabulocos features a few top-flight originals by singer-accordionist Jesus Cuevas - his chugging "Day After Day" highlights the band's working-class roots - and bassist James Barrios. Mostly, though, the quartet revives chestnuts such as Rockin' Dopsie's "You Ain't Nothin' But Fine" and Clifton Chenier's "All Night Long," infusing them with their own Latin fire and soul.

Singing in English and Spanish, Cuevas makes a charismatic front man. He has a clear, pleading voice that recalls Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, especially on ballads such as Lloyd Price's "Just Because." If you prefer the earlier work of that East L.A. band, before it started getting arty, then you should love Los Fabulocos.