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Ozomatli

Ozomatli performing in August 2007
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres Latin rock, Chicano rock, hip hop, world fusion, funk
Years active 1995–present
Website www.ozomatli.com

Ozomatli is a seven to ten piece band playing primarily Latin, hip hop, and rock music, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles. They are known both for their vocal activist viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles - including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap, and others.[1]

In a 2007 NPR interview, band members Jiro Yamaguchi and Ulises Bella describe Ozomatli:

“ You drive down Sunset Boulevard and turn off your stereo and roll down your windows and all the music that comes out of each and every different car, whether it's salsa, cumbia, merengue, or Hip Hop, funk or whatever, it's that crazy blend that's going on between that cacophony of sound is Ozomatli, y'know?[2] ”

Contents

History [link]

Ozomatli take their name from the Nahuatl word for the Aztec astrological symbol of the monkey, which is also a god of dance, fire, the new harvest, and music.[3]

The band has experienced many member changes, having had as many as ten members, and as few as seven. A core of six members has featured in all of its lineups: Asdru Sierra (lead vocals, trumpet), Raul Pacheco (lead vocals, guitar, tres, jarana), Justin Poree (rap vocals, percussion), Wil-dog Abers (bass, backing vocals), Jiro Yamaguchi (tabla, percussion, backing vocals) and Ulises Bella (sax, clarinet, requinto jarocho, keyboards, backing vocals).

The members of the band met through their affiliation with the Peace and Justice Center of Los Angeles, and their first performance was for picketers during a strike. They began their career in the Los Angeles and San Diego/Mexico border-area club scene, and added MC Chali 2na, turntablist Cut Chemist, drummer William Marrufo, and sax player Jose Espinosa (d. January 5, 2011).

Their first effort was the Ya Llego EP, a self-released 4-track CD. All 4 songs would reappear on their self-titled album. Following an appearance in Vibe magazine, the group broke into the mainstream, releasing Ozomatli, their eponymous debut album, in June 1998 under the Almo Sounds label.

Between their first and second albums, the band experienced a number of member changes, with four of the ten members leaving the band. First the band added drummer Andy Mendoza replacing William Marrufo. Then DJ Cut Chemist left shortly after the release of the first album and was replaced by Kid.W.I.K. Later on Chali 2na left to concentrate on hip-hop outfit Jurassic 5 (which also included Cut Chemist). Chali 2na hand-picked his own replacement as Kanetic Source. While making the second album, Kanetic Source, Kid.W.I.K. and Jose Espinosa all left. Kanetic Source currently does underground music. He also does work with Chali 2na.

Ozomatli's second album, Embrace the Chaos, was released on the inauspicious date of September 11, 2001.[4] Although many American bands cancelled their concerts, Ozomatli gained some recognition for continuing to play their concerts,[5] all the while continuing their commitment to social justice and progressive politics, in addition to the rising anti-war movement. Kanetic Source appeared as a guest in some songs on the album, and continued to tour with the band as a guest. Chali 2na also appears, along with Kanetic Source, in the song "Vocal Artillery" but goes uncredited.

The band released "Coming Up," a limited edition EP with drummer Mario Calire replacing Andy Mendoza, and the additions of trombone player Sheffer Bruton and turntablist DJ Spinobi (who had appeared on some tracks on "Embrace The Chaos"). Kanetic Source is listed as an official member on this release although there are very few rap vocal parts.

Afterwards, the band made a further commitment to a new direction in music, embracing North African and Arab musical styles in addition to their own. There were more member changes as well, with rapper MC Jabu replacing Kanetic Source. This lineup of the original six plus Calire, Bruton, Spinobi, and Jabu would be Ozomatli's longest lasting lineup and would record three albums together (Street Signs, Live at the Fillmore, and Don't Mess With the Dragon).

The musical styles of many cultures are blended on 2004's Street Signs, and also features another guest appearance by former MC Chali 2na, this time credited, in the song "Whos To Blame". In 2005, Street Signs won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.

In late 2006, shortly before the release of Don't Mess With the Dragon, DJ Spinobi left the band to pursue personal projects (but stuck around until the album's release, as he appears in the photos and is credited as a member). This was the end of the longest lasting Ozomatli lineup, and the first of many lineup changes that would occur over the next year and a half. April 3, 2007, saw the release of their fourth studio album Don't Mess With The Dragon, which was co-produced by K. C. Porter. On September 20, 2007, Ozomatli announced that MC Jabu was leaving the group on amicable terms.[6] He was replaced with Tre Hardson.

In early 2008, the group did a song for the Los Angeles Dodgers called "Can't Stop The Blue," their first recording with Tre Hardson. In the video, LA drummer Chris Cano is seen in place of Calire. Shortly thereafter, Sheffer Bruton and Tre Hardson were no longer seen playing with the group, and Mario Calire appeared to be back on the drumseat. On July 18, 2008, Ozomatli did a show with original MC Chali 2na, and announced that he had re-joined the group. In August, they traveled to Africa, without Chali 2na. That year the band also became official cultural ambassadors at the invitation of the United States State Department, the culmination of a yearlong process initiated at the behest of a Nepalese diplomatic worker who heard the band discuss its mission and philosophy on National Public Radio (NPR); the group's first year of ambassadorship took them to Nepal, India, Myanmar, Madagascar, Jordan, Tunisia, South Africa, and Egypt.[7] In Madagascar, Raul Pacheco was nearly electrocuted on stage, an event that inspired their song "Malagasy Shock."

On April 20, 2010, the band released their fifth studio album, Fire Away.

In 2010, Ozomatli performed the original song "Never Again" with the Agahoza Shalom Youth Village for the Enough Project and Downtown Records' Raise Hope for Congo compilation. Proceeds from the compilation fund efforts to make the protection and empowerment of Congo’s women a priority, as well as inspire individuals around the world to raise their voice for peace in Congo.

Notable performances [link]

  • Carlos Santana offered the band one of their early breaks as his opening act during his 1998 tour to promote Supernatural.
  • In 1999 they appeared in the Drew Barrymore movie Never Been Kissed. They are the band playing in the reggae club when she ingests "Ganja cake", a cake with marijuana. In the scene, they play "Cumbia De Los Muertos" followed by "Cut Chemist Suite" where Barrymore's character dances wildly in front of the entire club.
  • The group appeared in HBOs Sex and the City episode "They Shoot Single People, Don't They?" airing June 27, 1999.
  • During the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, Ozomatli played a live concert before thousands of protesters across the street from the Staples Center.
  • The group received the 2002 Grammy Award for 'Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album'.
  • Shortly after receiving a Grammy, Ozomatli played a set at the 2002 award winning music festival The Berkshire Mountain Music Festival (aka Berkfest).
  • After playing at Coachella, Ozomatli were featured in Newsweek and on the Univision program Despierta America in June 2004.
  • Ozomatli has performed five times at the Austin, Texas music festival South by Southwest, most recently in 2011.
  • In 2004 the group was confronted while performing outside of a club where they would later have a concert. Two members of the band, as well as the manager, were arrested. The charges were eventually dropped. After this, the band was scheduled to perform at the Latin Grammy Awards, where they were introduced by George Lopez: "And now, a band that is very excited to learn that their performance tonight counts as community service, Ozomatli!"
  • Austin City Limits featured the band on the November 13, 2004 episode preceded by The Polyphonic Spree.[8]
  • In January 2005, Ozomatli was the opening band of Jamcruise 3. The band made several other scheduled — and impromptu — performances during the four-day cruise.
  • In March 2005, Ozomatli played at WOMAdelaide, a world music festival in Adelaide, South Australia. After refusing to leave the stage 15 minutes late during one of their two night sets, they leaped into the crowd for a 45-minute encore.
  • The September 25, 2006 episode of the Showtime comedy/drama Weeds featured the show’s opening theme music — "Little Boxes", written by Malvina Reynolds — performed by Ozomatli. The second season of Weeds featured a different performer and musical genre each week for its theme song.
  • In February 2007, Ozomatli toured throughout India and Nepal, sponsored by the State Department.
  • On June 14, 2007 Ozomatli performed at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco for the Apple WWDC Bash.
  • From July 22 to July 30, 2007, Ozomatli toured though Tunisia (one performance), Jordan (four performances) and Egypt (two performances), sponsored by the State Department. The concerts were staged in locations such as amphitheaters (Jordan), citadels (Cairo, Egypt), and forts (Alexandria, Egypt).
  • On August 29, 2007, Ozomatli performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Members [link]

Current members [link]

Past/Guest members [link]

Discography [link]

Studio albums [link]

Live albums [link]

EP [link]

Other contributions [link]

Non-album tracks [link]

References [link]

  1. ^ www.santafenewmexican.com
  2. ^ Ozomatli's Diverse Music Gets Personal, Weekend Edition Saturday, NPR. May 19, 2007.
  3. ^ www.santafenewmexican.com This was taken from a July 2, 2006 article in the Santa Fe New Mexican
  4. ^ Laura Emerick. "5 questions with — Ozomatli," Chicago Sun-Times, May 6, 2004, section 2, page 52: "Q. Speaking of the band's last full-length record — "Embrace the Chaos" came out on the worst of all possible days: Sept. 11, 2001 ... ."
  5. ^ (No author.) "Ozomatli : The party politicians," Times-Standard (Eureka, CA), December 1, 2005: "Ozomatli released its previous full-length album on September 11, 2001. While most bands in the country responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center by canceling their concerts, Ozomatli — a multi-racial crew that has never been shy about their commitment to social justice, progressive politics and anti-war convictions — decided to keep its dates and keep playing."
  6. ^ Goodbye Jabu!, ozomatli.com. September 20, 2007.
  7. ^ Rina Ralff. "Rockin' the valley" (article on the new Taos Mountain Music Festival), The Taos News, Tempo Magazine section, August 13–19, 2009, page 34.
  8. ^ "Austin City Limits | Watch Online | PBS Video". Pbs.org. https://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/artists/program458.html. Retrieved 2012-04-18. 
  9. ^ Cohen, Sandy. 'Dancing With the Stars' makes another cut. 15 April 2008.

External links [link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Raúl Pacheco

https://wn.com/Ozomatli

Ozomatli (album)

Ozomatli is the debut studio album by the Latin funk band Ozomatli, released on June 16, 1998 on Almo Sounds. The song "Cut Chemist Suite" was featured on the soundtrack for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.

Track listing

  • "Como Ves" (Jesus Perez) – 3:57
  • "Cut Chemist Suite" (Willy Abers, Charlie Stewart) – 4:32
  • "Cumbia de los Muertos" (Raúl Pacheco, Asdru Sierra, Stewart) – 3:32
  • "¿Dónde Se Fueron?" (Pacheco, Sierra) – 4:18
  • "Eva" (Ulises Bella, Jose Espinoza, Pacheco) – 3:09
  • "O Le Le" (Abers, Bella, Carlos Guaico, Stewart) – 4:59
  • "Chango" (Justin Porée, Sierra) – 4:28
  • "Super Bowl Sundae" (Abers, Sierra, Stewart) – 4:45
  • "Aquí No Será" (Enrique Ramirez) – 4:19
  • "Chota" (Abers, Oskar Cartaya, Pacheco, Sierra, Stewart) – 3:47
  • "Coming War" (Abers, Bella, Pacheco, Sierra, Stewart) – 3:56
  • "La Misma Canción" (Pablo Castorena, Pacheco) – 4:05
  • "Cut Chemist Suite (Unplugged)" (Abers, Stewart) – 6:47
  • "Como Ves (Unplugged)" (Perez) – 2:58

    • Personnel

  • Wil-Dog Abers – bass, vocals
  • Ulises Bella – clarinet, guitar, tenor saxophone, vocals
    • Read more
    This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Ozomatli_(album)

    Podcasts:

    Ozomatli

    ALBUMS

    Place in the Sun

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    Happy Feet Two: The Videogame Original Soundtrack

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    Fire Away

    Released 2010

    Don't Mess With the Dragon

    Released 2007

    Live at the Fillmore

    Released 2005

    Street Signs

    Released 2004

    Embrace the Chaos

    Released 2001

    Ozomatli

    Released 1998

    Live

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    PLAYLIST TIME:

    Dos Cosas Ciertas

    by: Ozomatli

    Dos Cosas Ciertas
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    Son la muerte y el cambio,
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    Son la muerte y el cambio
    No dejes que tu vida se safe,
    Toma tu destino en tus propias manos,
    Aveces las espaldas sudosas,
    Se confrentan con las palmas sucias...
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    Son la muerte y el cambio,
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    Son la muerte y el cambio,
    Handa, handa no pierdas la vista,
    Persuige, persuigue tu destino,
    Tu destino se decide en tus manos,
    No dejes que se escape tu chance...
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas
    Handa, handa no pierdas la vista,
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas
    No dejes que se escape tu chance
    It's you they card
    It's you they charge
    It's you they complain about strollin the boulevard
    You the one claimin' and screamin you all hard
    Are you in control or is it just a facade
    If Uncle Sam wants you it's you
    It's you that he'll need
    It's you that he'll sacrifice and it's you that'll bleed.
    I think you need to reflect on some old Sam Sneed
    And recognize in life there's only two guarantees
    Some proceed to believe
    And thus we gotta discuss
    Have we all lost our trust in us,
    Cause you and I
    We us together we must
    Live change and die
    Everybody's inlcuded it's up to you to decide
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    Son la muerte y el cambio,
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    Son la muerte y el cambio
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    Son la muerte y el cambio,
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    Son la muerte y el cambio
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,
    Son la muerte y el cambio,
    En la vida hay dos cosas ciertas,




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