Review of Más Latino from the San Diego Reader By Mary Montgomery Singer/songwriter John Cain, along with a troop of guest musicians and a mass of instruments mixes Latin with mainstream rock and pop, navigating smoothly through the melodies, creating something that sounds as if it were made effortlessly. Latinate overtones set the mood as Cain performs songs in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The song “From TJ to L.A.” includes a bi-lingual female vocal accompaniment. His website calls his music “gringo salsa” and describes “From TJ to L.A.” as “sardonic.” “From TJ to L.A. it’s the land where the grown up children play, we dream and we die as the palm tress sway from L.A. to TJ. See ‘em running up the middle of freeway, It’s not very far but it’s surte a long way from TJ to L.A. Look at this magic mess, I’ll fake a lot for less, TJ to L.A.” A rolling rhythm and perky guitars make this track the most memorable on the album, but the ending lacks a certain fullness when it switches gears with and closes with an out-of-place piano solo. However, by album’s end, Cain’s talents leave an impression with his insistent beat and flagrant guitar licks. El Güero Del Sombreo-The Music of John Cain There was a convergence of musicians, poets, dancers, artists and aficionados from around the world. Everyone was welcome at “Latino’s,” a funky little beatnik-bohemian bistro near barrio Old Town in San Diego, California. On any given night, “Latino’s” overflowed with the passion of Spanish dancers, flamenco guitarists and gypsy violinists; The excitement of porteños* dancing tango, and Tapatios* performing Mariachi. There were nights where Brazilians played samba, bossa nova; Cubans and Jarochos* played salsa and boleros. One magical night, all the tables were pushed aside to squeeze in a troupe of Mexican Ballet Folklórico. It was inevitable that the joint would be raided by the Vice Squad’s noise abatement unit. From this swirling vortex of Latin music genres, pianist/composer John Cain emerged with a deeper sense of his musicianship in all things “Latino.” In this venue he was known as “El Güero Del Sombrero.* It was here El Güero collaborated with Veracruz guitarist extraordinaire Julio De La Huerta and master song writer-poet Juan Manuel Morones of Chihuahua. The result of this union was the two CDs, “Todo Latino” and “Más Latino” collections of songs written by Cain, De La Huerta and Morones. Latino’s” is only a legend now, but the spirit lives on in this music. Here, in his music, Cain recreates the essence of those Latin rhythms that drove the passion. Step inside and re-live the legend...Everyone is welcome! Todos bienvenidos! *Porteño: a person from Buenos Aires *Tapatio: a person from Guadalajara *Jarocho a person from Veracruz*El Güero del sombrero: the American guy in the hat