Album Preview: Josh Rouse’s “El Turista”

I first discovered Josh Rouse when his album “1972” was getting heavy airplay on Morning Becomes Eclectic and it has become one of the most played albums in my collection. Josh is an excellent pop songwriter who has a theme – lyrically and sonically — to each of his albums. This influences behind “1972” are obvious, but what you might not expect is the Latin sounds that the Midwesterner has been featuring on his current work. He relocated to Spain 5 years ago and his latest CD “El Turista” is a beautiful piece of work that transports you to another place. He sings in Spanish and English and, in addition to the homage to his new Valencia home, the record incorporates influences reaching from Brazil to Cuba to Africa.

You can hear the full album streaming online now – and until March 22 – here on KCRW.com

RR