Ozomatli are an LA-based band who combine Latin and world music influences with funk and hip-hop. The group is also very politically conscious, promoting social change both in their music and through activism. They have gathered a large fan base due to their pure energy at live shows.
Chali 2na and Cut Chemist of Jurassic 5 were both originally members of Ozomatli. They have since left the group but both make guest appearances on Ozomatli's latest album, Street Signs. Since their departure Ozomatli have recruited rappers Justin "El Niņo" Poree and Jabu and turntablist DJ Spinobi into their ranks.
The current lineup of the band, at the time of the release of Street Signs, is:
Wil-Dog Abers - Bass, background vocals
Raul Pacheco - Guitar, Tres, Jarana, Lead Vocals
Justin Poree - Percussion, Rap Vocals
Asdru Sierra - Trumpet, Lead Vocals, Piano, Acoustic Guitar
Ulises Bella - Saxophone, Clarinet, Requinto Jarocho, Kayboards, Background Vocals
Jiro Yamaguchi - Tabla, Percussion, Background Vocals
Mario Calire - Drums
Sheffer Bruton - Trombone, Background Vocals
DJ Spinobi - Turntables
Jabu - Rap 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. Following an appearance in Vibe magazine, the group broke into the mainstream, releasing Ozomatli, their self titled debut album, in June 1998 under the Almo Sounds label.
Ozomatli's second album, Embrace The Chaos, was released on the inauspicious date of September 11, 2001. Although many American bands cancelled their concerts, Ozomatli gained some recognition for continuing to play their concerts, all the while continuing their commitment to social justice and progressive politics, in addition to the rising anti-war movement. 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.
The musical styles of many cultures are blended on 2004's Street Signs, with vocals mentioning the Yakuza crossing paths with gnawa trance; or Moroccan sintir virtuoso Hassan Hakmoun, joining the band along with Les Yeux Noirs and the Prague Symphony. Also accompanying are David Hidalgo of Los Lobos and Mario Calire of The Wallflowers. The salsa pioneer Eddie Palmieri, who is on the Concord Jazz label, is a featured performer on Street Signs.
In 2005, Street Signs won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.
User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.
From Wikipedia: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.
In a 2007 NPR interview, band members Jiro Yamaguchi and Ulises Bella describe Ozomatli: