POP MUSIC REVIEW : Rock Goes Eclectic and <i> Espanol</i>

R ock en Espanol may have found a leading Los Angeles-area proponent in Los Reos (Spanish for the Prisoners ) . Founded a year ago by the Uruguayan composing duo Rogelio Fojo and Robert Colucci, and multiculturalized by African-American singer Gloria Dawson and Anglo drummer Evan Richards, they delivered a curious and eclectic set at Madame Wong’s West on Thursday night.

Lead singer Dawson--whose sung Spanish is indistinguishable from a native’s--had to battle a horrendous mix at first. But she settled into the groove on an ambitious tune bearing shades of Queen’s ‘70s bombast, but with some well-penned, whimsical lyrics. Indeed, combining complex melodies with often magical realist lyrics is this band’s forte. Musically Los Reos often melds such disparate elements as progressive rock a la Yes and Genesis, South American pop rhythms and echoes of the politicized Latin American “New Song” movement.

Fojo’s guitar solos were tastefully short allowing Dawson to focus the energy with a fine voice that blends R&B; versatility and hard rock edge. The rhythm section of Colucci and drummer Richards were equally tight on both topical and rock beats. If there’s a weakness here, it’s the fact that Los Reos is only a quartet--the songs are rich enough for bigger instrumentation, perhaps a horn or keyboard.

Then there’s the question about Rock en Espanol ‘s audience. Los Reos is definitely vying to realize the crossover dream. On this count the band appeared to fly in the face of the conventional wisdom that rock is an English-only business. Each of the ethnic groups among the Wong’s crowd--Anglos, Latinos, African-Americans--appeared to be equally moved by Dawson’s impassioned vocals.