Just Another Band From East L.A.

LOS LOBOS: "Just Another Band From East L.A." (Slash/London)

SUBTITLED A Collection, this double pack spans the full 15-year recording career of one of the best bands to come out of the L.A. post-punk pack that included bands like X, The Blasters and the Go Go's. Los Lobos outlasted them all to produce a body of work that experimented with a wide variety of musical forms, without ever losing sight of their Mexican heritage.

This 41-track compilation features some of their work from various soundtracks, including 'La Bamba', and 'Come On, Let's Go', alongside live and previously unreleased tracks.

The bulk of the material comes from a series of albums sung in English, which arguably deserved greater respect and attention than they received in this part of the world. The music, produced by such excellent names as T. Bone Burnett, Larry Hirsch and Mitchell Froom varies from the accordion-dominated Mexican songs like the opening live cut 'Volver, Volver' through the '50's rock of 'La Bamba' and the tougher, blues-oriented 'Don't Worry Baby'. Throughout, the band's ease and skill on a wide variety of instruments makes it possible to forget just how technically proficient Los Lobos really are.

'River Of Fools' shows their ability to handle light material, in contrast to their weightier cover version of the Cream song 'Politician'. 'Be Still' is evocative and haunting, while 'Saint Behind The Glass' from their last album Kiko is unusual in that the vocal is reminiscent of a Mexican John Lennon. Six tracks are culled from this album, and the experimental nature of these songs indicates the band's probable future direction.

An excellent primer and overview on a very fine band's career to date, this collection is also extremely good value, with a (limited) edition of double CD and well-designed booklet in a slip case available for the price of a single CD.

Los Lobos - not just another band from East L.A., but a damn fine one, anywhere, anytime.

• Stephen Rapid