By Chris Nixon
For The San Diego Union-Tribune
November 10, 2005
After co-founder Jimmy LaValle left Tristeza in 2003 to concentrate on his project the Album Leaf, the end seemed near for the local faves. But original members Christopher Sprague (guitar), Luis Hermosillo (bass) and Jimmy Lehner (drums) instead added Alison Ables (guitar) and Sean Ogilvie (keyboards) and forged ahead.
On "A Colores" (Better Looking Records, four stars), the band's third full-length studio album, the San Diego-based quintet expands upon its legacy. Intertwining guitar laces effortlessly with Lehner's percussive musings and atmospheric keyboards. Tristeza will celebrate the release of the album at the Casbah, 2541 Kettner Blvd. in Middletown, on Dec. 2 ($10; casbahmusic.com).
San Diego is woefully underrepresented in the hip-hop game. Straight outta Serra High School, hip-hop quartet the KneeHighs proudly represent the city on its new release "Global Warming" (self-release, three stars). Name-dropping B.A. Baracus and Blu Blocker sunglasses, three MCs and one DJ unite to spread the good about San Diego, sunshine and party vibes throughout their 10-track debut disc.
On tracks like "America's Finest" (Welcome to the streets of San Diego, welcome to the sunny side of life) and "All Around the World" ("Now we bring it back to Cali with the sun on my face, now we run it like a race because there's ladies in the place"), the MCs exhibit excellent flow, and GarGar lays down smooth, funky tracks while espousing the benefits of living in this town of ours. So if you dig on the hip-hop, check out the KneeHighs next time they grace a local stage.
Chris Nixon is a San Diego music writer. Localese, a monthly column focusing on new local music releases, runs the second Thursday of every month in Night&Day.
