Mexican Garage Rock '66

This is a great compilation, and not just for anyone who still thinks that old-school Chicano music was limited to low-rider doo-wop or the salsa-infused rock of Santana. Boasting 33 south-of-the-border go-go jams, the album climaxes with Los Apson’s “Fué En Un Café,” a Spanish-sung version of the Drifters’ 1964 hit “Under The Boardwalk.” They also do a hilarious interpretation of Ian Whitcomb’s 1965 hit “You Turn Me On,” replete with falsettos and that distinct vocal hook. Los Seven Days turn “Tijuana” into beach- blanket Pachuco soul with reverberating Fender guitars providing that surf tone and a horn section sounding like a bygone backyard barbeque in Echo Park, Los Angeles. For those who can speak Spanish, yes, “Ella No Está Ahi” is Polo’s humble cover of the Zombies’ “She’s Not There” — check out the electric pawnshop guitar lead on this one, or the wonky Farfisa organ pulsing on Los Rockin’ Devils’ “Corazon.” Los Ovnis turn up the distortion on a rocking rendition of Monkee Michael Nesmith’s “Mary Mary” (which The Butterfield Blues Band had a hit with in 1966).