Los Cenzontles with David Hidalgo & Taj Mahal
American Horizon
(Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center)

This is a lengthy, jaw-dropping mixture of traditional Mexican, blues, cumbia, and rock punctuated by versatile Taj Mahal and talented multi-instrumentalist David Hidalgo, co-frontman of Los Lobos. Taj Mahal is now regarded almost equally as a world music icon and a blues artist. Hidalgo has also backed numerous projects, recently playing accordion on Dylan's most recent album. Here, Taj and David are clearly having fun, sometimes jamming on guitars, notably on Hidalgo's "Best of Me," and at other times playing instruments you don't often associate with either man. David plays a remarkable violin solo on "Suenos," a bluesy tune that Taj sings in Spanish. Taj pounds the piano to David's pulsing guitar on the down home blues "One Hot Mama."

Los Cenzontles ("the Mockingbirds") aim to amplifying the roots of Mexican culture and especially folk music. In their live shows, they feature dancing as well. They incorporate other styles into their mix, and have worked with Hidalgo as well as the Chieftains, Ry Cooder, and Linda Ronstadt. Gorgeous harmonies abound as the album moves from a rhythmic Latin feel into bluesy and even psychedelic stretches. While not completely seamless, it melds together due to the stellar musicianship, production qualities and overall album concept of those reaching for the elusive American dream. Whether listening to it entirely or going directly to the blues-inflected tracks, it's completely appealing and irresistible.
—Jim Hynes