The Blazers feat. Ruben Guaderrama are now accepting bookings for Late Summer/Early fall. Contact us here or via [email protected] After more than two decades of music, the Blazers are still throwing off heat. Often referred to as the "other Los Angeles Latin roots rock band," the Blazers' name is apropos – with Dreaming a Dream they continue to burn red hot with all the flavor and authenticity of the best East L.A. street tacos. Led by original member Ruben Guaderrama who is joined by Patrick Kahl, the Blazers clearly demonstrate the breadth of their musical range: from searing blues to funky R&B grooves to up-tempo conjunto raves.
Dreaming a Dreammarks the band's third collaboration with Grammy Award-winner Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakam, Roy Orbison, k.d.lang, Flaco Jimenez), who served as Executive Producer for the record, and the second one for his Little Dog Records label. Listening to
Dreaming a Dream is like a musical tour through American musical styles. "Jose Maria" is a gritty, socially-conscious latin-rock ballad. "Dreaming a Dream" presents an infectious conjunto romp while "Japanese Blanket" has all the dusty vibe of a cruise down a South Texas road. The track "65 Roses" is a beautiful tear-jerker dealing with the realities of childhood cystic fibrosis.
Dreaming a Dream is the first recording since the departure of Ruben's longtime musical partner Manuel "Manny" Gonzales. "Manny is truly my musical brother," says Ruben. "Given some health issues, he has decided to stay in Los Angeles and pursue his own music – and he has given me his blessing to carry on the Blazers' name and tradition. I miss him greatly but I am very excited about the new music and vibe we've caught on this record."
The Blazers' have a long distinguished history. Ruben and Manny began playing music in high school while growing up in East L.A. Their free-style form of music knew no boundaries – they felt just as comfortable playing rock and roll as they did playing boleros, cumbias, and mariachi music. Through the years, Ruben and Manny went through a succession of group names and band members, finally embracing the name The Blazers. Playing clubs, dances, and parties around Southern California, the band built a devoted following for their unique blend of American rock with traditional Mexican music. In the early '90s, they came to the attention of renowned roots label Rounder Records. They released several critically acclaimed records on Rounder including "Just For You" which marked their first association with producer Pete Anderson.
The band quickly developed a close musical kinship with Pete, who had been instrumental in the rise of the "new traditionalist" movement personified by his work with Dwight Yoakam. This friendship eventually led to The Blazers signing to Anderson's Little Dog label. Their collaboration produced the critically acclaimed "17 Jewels," which has often been described as the band's crowning musical achievement.
Not one to sit on his laurels, Ruben returned to Little Dog's studio last year to continue to build on The Blazers' legacy, this time with Producer Tony Rambo. The result is the ebullient
Dreaming a Dream, another down-and-dirty masterpiece which defies anyone to keep their feet still. As Ruben laughs, "There's a guaranteed pachanga in every song!"
