American Us is an important declaration of Latino identity in the 21st century, as well as music you can party to. It is a call to celebrate the strength of cultures that have endured and survived the heat of the decades in the melting pot without disintegrating. This record proposes a broad vision of Latin music that encompasses rock, funk, hip-hop, ska, salsa and the diverse Latin American styles that have shaped the experience of urban Latinos. The album also proposes the musical evolution of Los Mocosos. The band, based in San Francisco’s Mission District, reflects the diversity of the community that gave birth to a unique blend of Latin rock in the 1960s and '70s. The band, made up of a New York Puerto Rican, a Puerto Rican Hawaiian, a Honduran/Cuban, a Peruvian, one Oakland Anglo, a Chicano, a Jewish Guatemalteca and two Nicaraguan-Chicanos, reflects the diverse blend of cultures and traditions that these musicians bring to the table.
Los Mocosos gives a voice to the Urban Latino community that features a wealth of murals, cultural parades and poetry. Their bilingual lyrics reflect the common language of young Latinos in this country. The music synthesizes the psychedelic rock, funk, hip-hop and R&B that they hear through a uniquely Latino perspective. For instance, "Bacalao" narrates the continuing saga of life in the barrio in a bilingual tribute to Hector La Voe. Bacalao refers to the salted codfish common in Latin American kitchens and brings to mind the saying "something smells fishy here." "I'm Your Puppet" is a new/old school remake of the R&B classic and a part of the complex Chicano (OG) repertoire of musical styles that accompanies late night cruising and courtship rituals that has been passed on through several generations. This is American Us, a tribute to ancestors that have given us a culture that has endured and given us the strength to party in the face of adversity and to paint our vision of the world through our music.
-Greg Landau and Manny Martinez
Vocals and timbales: Jose Manuel "Manny" Martinez
Guitar: Gabriel Sandino
Drums: Fabian Paredes
Keyboards: Steve Carter
Congas: Enrique Padilla
Timbales: Mio Flores
Sax and vocals: Gordon "Shorty" Ramos
Trombone and vocals: Victor Castro
Bass: Ayla Davila
Additional musicians:
Percussion: Jesus Diaz
Bass: Camilo Landau ("I'm Your Puppet")
DJ/Turntablist: Miguel "Mister E" Escovedo
Drum programming: One Drop Scott
Baritone Sax: Ricky Aiken
Trumpet: Bill Ortiz
Produced by Greg Landau and Los Mocosos
Recorded by Felipe Neira, Dave Nelson and Greg Landau at Outpost Studios, San Francisco and Patio de Ochun Studios, San Francisco. Additional recording by Steve Carter at Steve and Carla’s Place.
Mixing and additional production by Garry Hughes and Donal Hodgson at Monmouth Massive, Monmouth, Wales
Mastered by Bob Katz at Digital Domain, Altamonte Springs, FL
Art direction/design by Michael Snyder
Cover calligraphy and disc label illustration by Gordon "Shorty" Ramos
Photography by Jay Blakesberg
Tracks 1, 5, 8 & 11 written by J.M. Martinez & G. Ramos. Track 2 written by J.M. Martinez, S. Carter & V. Castro. Track 3 written by J.M. Martinez, G. Ramos, G. Sandino and S. Carter. Track 4 written by Lindon Oldham & Dan Pennington. Track 6 written by J.M. Martinez & G. Sandino. Track 7 written by J.M. Martinez. Track 9 written by S. Carter & J.M. Martinez. Track 10 written by S. Carter, J.M. Martinez & G. Ramos. Track 12 written by G. Sandino, J.M. Martinez, G. Ramos & S. Carter.
With the exception of track 4, all lyrics written by J.M. Martinez except for Track 11 written by Manny and Shorty.
All songs published by Six Degrees Beats Publishing (BMI) except track 4 published by Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc. (BMI)
Los Mocosos would like to extend a very special Thank You to Mr. Happy Sanchez, who like any good “papa,” knew when to let his mocosos grow up. This artistic effort is dedicated to him. We would also like to collectively thank Six Degrees Records for their continued support, admiration and respect; Chris and Brad @ Mongrel Music for helping us get to the next level and for never selling us short; Greg Landau for his vision, his sense of diplomacy, for Ayla and for making us a better band in and out of the studio; Carlos Santana-his band and his crew for an excellent little run and for giving us something to strive for; Brian Kirsch for hangin’ tough and becoming one of us; Gary Neal for his help on “Vete;” to the folks at Slim's and The Great American Music Hall for their continued support of the band. A special thank you to Phil Andrews, “Earmuffs” and Ike and Cheryl. To Alex Perez at Fender Guitars, Tim Godwin and Valerie Corabi at Line 6 Amplifiers, Eric at Gelb Music, Dean Markley Strings and Vic Firth Drum and Timbale Sticks, Arturo Riera and Latin Percussion.
Manny
I would like to thank God and Elegua for continuing to open doors for me and test me every inch of the way, my pops Rafael (Don Corleone) Martinez, my moms Maria E., all my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, etc. My best friend and beautiful wife Leticia, my two AWESOME boys Manny Jr. and Johnny L. My friends Jenny and Turo B., Kenny M., Isabella Badillo-the new inspiration in my life, Greg Landau, Paul Altamirano, mis suegros Jose y Teresa, everyone that’s influenced me in one way, shape or form, my peeps in New York and in Puerto Rico, everyone I’ve forgotten and last but not least I thank my bros Los Mocosos-for steppin’ up and never giving up-I love you guys!!! MOCOSOS LOCOS FOREVER HOMES!!!
Victor
Thanks to God, my parents and my brother for the gift of music; Charles Harb and Associates for all their support; Hop Sing and the Shadow Boys; my babies Marco, Danny, Max and Bibi; Ana for always having my back; Norma for the love and the kick in the ass when I needed it; Los Mocosos for the strength; To my sister RIP; to all of the people who believed in us through it all; to Greg Landau our tolerant and talented producer and to my Rebecca for the incentive to succeed.
Shorty
I would like to thank my family and friends, my children-Lisa, Anita, Jr., my grandchildren-Vinnie, Jessica, Jamie, Beatrice and Gabriel, my wife and best friend, my mom-I love you, my bro Ed, Thomas-I'm proud of you, bro Kev, Mike Mago, Gary and Santa, Peter Nava and family, to Uncle Albert and family-thanks, to anyone I've missed you know I love you. Most of all, thanks to the man upstairs. P.S. To my brothers in Los Mocosos, thank you for standing by me through my times.
Steve
Thanks to my wife Carla for love and inspiration. To my mom and dad for always being there for me. To my sisters Nancy and Patty and their families-Nelson, Hiriam, Jesse, Scott, Kristen, Andrew and Michael. To the Wrights and the Stallards. To Dave Luce, Dennis and Shiree, Kenneth and Adrian, Joe, Rock, George, Sammy and Al.
Gabriel
I wish to thank my wife Cecilia (the love of my life) and Daly for their love and support. My parents Maria and Charles Sandino for their wisdom and love. My brothers and sister-Armando Carlos, Miguel and Maria, who always believed in me. My friends Sergio and Carmen, Hans R., Enrique S., Steven P., James S., Eric B. and Mark T. I’d also like to thank everyone who’s supported me through the years-you know who you are.
Fabian
First and foremost, I would like to thank Nino and Martha Paredes for their unconditional love and support. Thank you Raul for being the best brother and friend. To the rest of my family in Peru and in the U.S. and to all my friends who have given the strength to carry on (you know who you are)-I love you all. To Michelle, I thank you for being with me through it all and for giving me the inspiration I need. Gracias por ser mi mejor amiga y mi esposa.
Henry
I would love to give thanks to my mother/father Ines Padilla, Nicholas Padilla for giving me life, Ismael Padilla, Arlene Padilla, Giovanni Padilla, Gus Blanco, Liz Miranda and Family, Pepe and Crew, all the folks in the Pink Palace, all my homies in Daly City, San Francisco and the entire Bay Area for supporting and never giving up on me and my homie Rick (Dog) and last but most, my creator for giving me daily strength to never give up.
Ayla
I would like to thank Los Mocosos for welcoming me into the group and helping me become a MOCOSA; Greg Landau for all of the opportunities you have given to me and for introducing me to the band; my wonderful parents, Isa and Amunka Davila; Marti, Linnea, Mari and Amber for being my biggest fans and Liz Meredith for making my life better by simply existing and being you.
Hide Description »