Report: Ozomatli Live In L.A.

The Latino-rockin' musical polyglots captured in full flight on December 9 at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre.

By Jose Martinez

Wrapping up its world tour in support of the 2007 release Don't Mess With The Dragon, L.A. favorite sons Ozomatli went out in style with two sold out shows at Nokia Theatre.

Known for its dance-friendly blend of urban-Latino meets hip-hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East L.A. R&B and New Orleans second line, Ozomatli has long followed one key mantra: it will take you around the world by taking you around the City of Angels.

Originally formed to play at local area labor protests 14 years ago, Ozomatli spent some of its early days participating in everything from earthquake prep "hip-hop ghetto plays" at inner-city elementary schools to community activist events, protests, and city fundraisers.

"This band could not have happened anywhere else but L.A.," saxophonist and clarinetist Ulises Bella has said. "Man, the tension of it, the multiculturalism of it. L.A. is like, we're bonded by bridges."

At these Club Nokia shows, Ozomatli brought up past members like rapper Chali 2na, as well as turntablist Cut Chemist, and MC Jabu offering a sense of nostalgia among the good times. Playing a little bit of everything, Ozo delighted its fans that couldn't stop dancing to the band's catchy beats.

Playing in the same location that once sparked a riot during an Ozomatli performance outside the 1999 Democratic National Convention (see related Blurt-online exclusive story), the band even played new songs from its upcoming April release that will mark the band's 15^th anniversary together as an explosive, dynamic force.

From hometown do-gooders to being named U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors, Ozomatli proudly wears its heart on its sleeve and relishes in throwing the ultimate house party. Ending the show by performing in the crowd, as is Ozomatli tradition, they are a band of the people ("raza" as Spanish speakers like to say) and play for the people (or "gente").

With a handful of 2010 California dates scheduled (Jan 22 and 23 in Solana Beach near San Diego, and Feb 4 in Agoura Hills outside L.A., and Feb 6 in San Luis Obispo), lookout for the band's upcoming release this spring followed by another world tour no doubt.

Let the good times roll!