New York, NY (TOP40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) -- On October 12, San Pablo, California-based Mexican folk ensemble Los Cenzontles will release 'Raza De Oro' ('Golden People'), a collection of Mexican roots music that pays tribute to the legacy of Mexican-American culture, featuring guest stars Ry Cooder,
David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) and Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship).
Los Cenzontles ("The Mockingbirds") are in the midst of one of their most momentous chapters. Earlier this year, they recorded and performed various tracks with The Chieftains and Ry Cooder on their critically acclaimed album 'San Patricio' and collaborated with Linda Ronstadt, Los Tigres Del Norte, Taj Mahal, among others. The New York Times praised the group's last album, 'American Horizon,' as "something completely new" while Relix noted it "feels like America's future."
The original songs of 'Raza De Oro' demonstrate the beauty and strength of Mexican-American traditions and tackle current immigration issues. The group rallies for action with "Estado De Verguenza" ("State of Shame"), a corrido response to Arizona's immigration law, and "Regresa Ya," an original ranchera about a woman pleading for her migrant husband's return. Ry Cooder plays mandolin and guitar on "Mas Alla,� an original song inspired Cooder's own "There's A Bright Side Somewhere." The album also features covers of Los Lobos' "Good Morning Atzlan� and "The Neighborhood," as well as traditional sones jarochos and popular rancheras, like "Soy Mexico Americano" and "Prenda del Alma."
Founded and led by guitarist Eugene Rodriguez, Los Cenzontles is comprised of various musicians who have been members since childhood or adolescence: Lucina Rodriguez, Fabiola Trujillo, Hugo Arroyo, as well as teens Emiliano Rodriguez, Rosemary Guiterrez and Marisa Bautista. Together, they mix bass, drums and violin with traditional Mexican instruments - jarana, vihuela, requinto, pandero and quijada (jawbone) - to create a powerful modern sound that blends rock and blues with the gutsy soul of Mexico's roots music.
Los Cenzontles are currently filming a new music video with legendary filmmaker Les Blank and plan October CD release shows in California.
More dates are soon to be announced.
Upcoming Shows:
Oct. 3 - Felton, CA @ Don Quijote
Oct. 15 - Berkeley, CA @ Freight and Salvage
Oct. 16 - Sunnyvale, CA @ Sunnyvale Community Theater
'Raza de Oro' Tracklist:
1 Estado de Verguenza
2 Good Morning Atzlan (Featuring David Hidalgo)
3 Regresa Ya
4 El Siquisiri (Featuring David Hidalgo)
5 El Ahualulco
6 Prenda del Alma
7 The Neighborhood (Featuring Pete Sears)
8 De Man~ana en Adelante
9 El Buscapies
10 Clemencia
11 Soy Mexico Americano
12 La Guacamaya
13 Mas Alla (Featuring Ry Cooder)
About Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center:
Los Cenzontles (pronounced Los Senn-sont-less) originated at the cultural center of the same name in San Pablo, California, a heavily immigrant and Hispanic neighborhood north of Oakland. Founded by director Eugene Rodrigez in 1994, Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center is an artist-driven, non-profit organization where Latino youths learn Mexican folk dance, music and arts through a multi-level mentorship program. It promotes Mexican-American culture through an after school academy, performing touring group and media production group.
Los Cenzontles On The Web:
https://www.loscenzontles.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/loscenzontles
https://www.facebook.com/Cenzontles
https://www.myspace.com/themockingbirds
