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Though it was just
credited to 'David', singer/guitarist David Nunez released his second solo
album in 1977. Issued by the Los Angeles, California-based Koala
label, "Uprising"'
continued his partnership with producer/engineer John Wagner. So
before going any further, this is another one of those obscurities where
it's all but impossible to find a detailed, let alone coherent review.
The few references I've stumbled across tend to be dealer lists which
uniformly attempt to label it as Chicano-soul, a funky masterpiece, or some
other bizarro entity. Take my word for it; this album is none of the
above. That's not meant as a criticism since namesake Nunez was
clearly a talented guy. Among the positives, Nunez had a great voice;
deep and expressive and almost chameleon-like in its ability to adapt to
different genres including blue-eyes soul, country-rock, and conventional
rock. Now for my reservations - much of this sounded like a
demonstration album. Mind you the actual sound quality was fantastic,
but the multitude of genres and styles left you with the feeling the album
was recorded in an effort to showcase Nunez's talents as a writer who was
capable of delivering material across a myriad of genres. Shame you
couldn't get a better feel for the man's musical stance. -
'Su Corazon Murio'' opened the album with a surprisingly interesting
jazz-rock/funk hybrid. I know, I know that sounds pretty lame, but
I've got to tell you it rocked with considerable energy (even with violin
and flute). And in spite of the title, the majority of the song'
featured English lyrics. rating: ****
stars -
'You've Been Wrong So Long' offered up a decent slice of country-rock with a
breezy melody and some nice harmony vocals. Lyrically this one was
fairly pedestrian, but the song included a wonderful guitar riff.\ that was
worth the price of admission alone. rating: ***
stars -
The album's first disappointment, 'How Can I Get To You' found Nunez and
company treading too close to MOR pop for their own good. To my ears
this one sounded like a piece of Pablo Cruise-styled corporate rock.
Easy to imagine this one on mid-1970s top-40 radio. rating:
** stars -
Ever wondered what the band War would have sounded like had they been a
bunch of Hispanic guys from Albuquerque rather than a bunch of African
Americans from L.A. (along with one lost Dutch guy) ? Seems doubtful
any of you have pondered that issue, but if it ever crossed your minds take
my word for it that 'Move Back To the Country' was a good indicator of what
it might have sounded like ... rating: ***
stars -
The first couple of times I heard 'One Movin' Man' I kept thinking this was
B.J. Thomas trying to get funky ... Yeah, another one that's hard to
get your arms around. ** stars -
The horn powered
I Love You Anyway' had a supper club, lounge act tinge to it.
Easy to imagine this one being played at a Las Vegas casino club, or on a
mid-1970s afternoon television talk show. rating:
** stars -
The ballad 'I Love You Anyway' found the band continuing in same lounge act
mode. rating:
** stars -
'Times Are Getting Hard' found Nunez and company returning to a
Chicano-jazz-funk work out mode with suitably good results.
Easily the album's most propulsive number, the only complaint was the song's
abrupt ending ... rating: ****
stars -
The bluesy ballad 'Believe' found Nunez channeling his best Ray Charles
impersonation. Not sure why, but I found this one surprisingly
enjoyable. rating: ***
stars -
'Rave One' found Nunez tearing a page out of the Delaney and Bonnie
blue-eyed soul catalog. Complete with Eric Claption-syled guitar solo,
this one was actually a good example of truth-in-advertising given it
actually did rave on. rating:
*** stars Can't
tell you this is great by any stretch of the imagination, but I'd be real
interested in hearing some of Nunez's earlier Chicano-soul material.
"Uprising" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Su
Corazon Murio (David Nunez) - 3:10
2.) You've Been
Wrong So Long (David Nunez) - 3:48 3.)
How Can I Get To You (David Nunez) - 3:18 4.)
Move Back To the Country (David Nunez) - 2:51 5.)
One Movin' Man (Fred Chavez) - 3:33
(side
2)
1.) Lack of Love (Fred Chavez) - 2:38
2.) I Love You
Anyway (David Nunez) - 2:48 3.)
Times Are Getting Hard (David Nunez) - 2:15 4.)
Believe (Robert Barron) - 5:28 5.)
Rave One (B. West - N. Perry) - 2:54
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