JOSH ROUSE / El Turista CD / Yep Roc Records / 2010

Yes he’s a tourist, but JOSH ROUSE blends Brazilian and old-world Spanish sensibilities with a wonderfully light touch that works perfectly for this particular Gringo. Not nearly as cloying as many of PAUL SIMON’s world music ventures, although Mr. ROUSE’s voice does bear a distinct similarity to Mr. SIMON’s.

SOUNDS LIKE:

GILBERTO/GETZ, ESQUIVEL, ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM

SUGGESTED TRACKS:

1 “Bienvenido” (sublime instrumental Exotica)

6 “I Will Live On Islands” (rousing mix of genres too numerous to mention)

9 “Las Voces” (shades of ANDREW BIRD)