Rodriguez is the subject of recent documentary 'Searching for Sugar Man' which follows two South African music fans and their search to discover what happened to the singer, known as Sugar Man after the first track on this his classic, but forgotten, debut.
Mexican-American Rodriguez released two albums in the early 1970s, COLD FACT and Coming From Reality (1971). Neither were hits in the US and he retired from music shortly after. Whilst he remained in obscurity in his home country, abroad his fame grew. In Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and South Africa his records were released in in the mid '70s and received considerable airplay. Although he briefly toured Australia in 1979 he was largely unaware of his cult status, especially in South Africa.
COLD FACT is a very political record focussing on the social inequalities faced by the inner city poor. No doubt inspired by what Rodriguez saw growing up as a Mexican kid in Detroit. Listen to the lyrics and it's easy to understand why it found resonance with generation of frustrated and angry teenagers growing up in Apartheid era South Africa.
His political poetry stands up against the best if Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Musically it's more psychedelic than either of them, and also leans towards the blues.
Picking standout tracks is a tough call, there simply isn't a bad song on the album. My personal favourites are 'Crucify Your Mind', 'Forget It' and the simple anthem 'I Wonder'. They perfectly combine his angry Dylanesque lyrics with his perfect pop sensibilities.
Also fantastic are the 'Hate Street Outburst' and vitriolic 'This is Not a Song, It's an Outburst' in which Rodriguiez's fast rap delivery is vaguely reminiscent of Subterranean Homesick Blues.
I WONDER
CRUCIFY YOUR MIND
THIS IS NOT A SONG, IT'S AN OUTBURST
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