Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

The tracks on this CD were recorded in the nineties for the most part. Dave Burgess's modern vision of the Champs is different, older, and more subdued than his sixties Mexican rock 'n' roll band. The originals are almost entirely from Burgess' pen. There are no new Tequila's here. It's a little mild mannered, but very nice. The final six tracks are original Champs releases. the rest were recorded in Nashville in 1995.

Picks: Frijoles, Green Onions, Risque, Watermelon Man, Sonora Red, Oye Como Va, Jalapeno, Smokie (Pt. 2), Tejano Nights, The Girl From Ipanema, Meltdown, Peter Gunn, Hot Salsa, Last Night, Tequila, El Rancho Rock, Chariot Rock, Too Much Tequila, Limbo Rock, Midnighter

Rock (Instrumental)

Great rhythm here, with a cool slide guitar and honkin' sax. "Frijoles" relies on its infectious rhythm and sixties repetition to carry the day. Nice track.

Rock (Instrumental)

This is a subdued cover of Booker T. and the MG's' "Green Onions." The sax work is quite nice.

Rock (Instrumental)

Delicate guitar work opens "Risque," which floats gracefully on liquid bass and airy melody lines. But wait, the second verse drops into a honkin' R&B groove that's pretty tasty.

Rock (Instrumental)

Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" is delivered with a funk guitar and a whole different feel. Restrained, yet enjoyable.

Rock (Instrumental)

This Dave Burgess tune is like a soft spoken soulful "Mexican Hat Dance." Fluid and oh-so Mexican with a saucy R&B sax and great Latin percussion. A fine track.

Rock (Instrumental)

This is a kinda loungy version of Tito Puente's classic tune. There's touches of Santana and the Champs.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Jalapeno" is a kinda honky classic Champs track. Fun, but not overly memorable despite the chorus shoutin' "jalapeño."

Rock (Instrumental)

This is a moderate version of the Bill Black Combo's "Smokie." It has a lot of Las Vegas about it, but not much magic.

Rock (Instrumental)

Herky jerky Latin chunk is the hallmark of this deliberate track. Too mechanical for my taste.

Jazz (Instrumental)

The Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto's classic jazz hit "The Girl From Ipanema" gets a new face on with saucy sax work and a predictable rhythm track.

Rock (Instrumental)

Howling guitar in back and thundering drums drive this track. Its sound is quite unlike the rest of this CD, with a hard edge and tuff drums. Not melodic, but kinda pumped up.

Waterfront Jazz Rock (Instrumental)

Henry Mancini's ultra tuff "Peter Gunn" is delivered with a post beatnik groove and sensual sax. Quite a nice version of this tune.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Hot Salsa" is a subdued heavy track. That many seem contradictory, but if you've heard it, you'll understand. Big power, but not loud. Heavy liquid bass and distortion with sultry sax. Pretty cool track!

Rock (Instrumental)

The Mar-Keys' "Last Night" is delivered unceremoniously. Pumped with energy, and sporting tinkly keys. A credible cover.

Latin R&B Rock (Instrumental)

This is their BIG HIT!. It is a sax based number that was probably the frat house standard, long before "Louie Louie" was. The spoken "Tequila" at the end of the lines has become a standard of Latin party rock. Very infectious.

Latin R&B Rock (Instrumental)

"El Rancho Grande" saxed up like "Tequila" with lotsa fun damped guitar rhythm work, and a honkin' good sax performance.

Latin R&B Rock (Instrumental)

Saucy sax, choked guitar, nifty percussion, and a melody line that speaks in whispers of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" while sportin' fifties jammin' rock sensibilities. There are several musical reference to "Tequila."

Latin R&B Rock (Instrumental)

This is one of several follow ups to their "Tequila." It is a sax based number, slower than it's inspiration, and with more of an "El Rancho Grande" sound to it. The guitar break is acoustic and quite nice.

Latin R&B Rock (Instrumental)

Billy Strange's "Second Line Limbo" is one infectious tune. It is incarnated via the Latin frill of the Champs for this entirely infectious 1962 hit. Except for the "la la la" chorus, this is delightful.

Latin R&B Rock (Instrumental)

Raw sax R&B based rock, pumpin' a party jam, drivin' the poodle dress crowd nuts. Fine jammin' dance tune from Champs.