Concord 2-2298-2
Fuerte
In the case of Ozomatli, the members’ Latin background bears a strong pull on the group’s sound, but it also displays exposure to hip-hop, R&B, rock, reggae and Middle Eastern flavors. For Si*Se, the music offers a nod to the vibrant sounds and cultures that emanate from its New York hometown.
On the CD/DVD package Live at the Fillmore, the 10-piece multi-racial, multi-ethnic band presents a strong case for its standing within the music community as a group that can deftly unify genres as well as demographics. The immediate sensation brought about by the opening track, “Dos Cosas Ciertas,” is that of turning the corner of a city block and entering a street party. That lasts throughout the rest of the album. Did I understand the lyrics sung in Spanish? No, but don’t tell my high school teacher that. It doesn’t matter, in the same manner that it doesn’t stop me enjoying Manu Chao, Mano Negra, Les Negresse Vertes and others, because Ozo’s salsa and meringue rhythms on “Chango” and “Como Ves” were enough for me to sing along and find my spirits uplifted by the sheer energy of dance music. “(Who Discovered) America?” presents some depth in the songwriting chops through its method of equating the promise of this land to that of a new romance… and the hardships and disappointments and joys that ensue.
Whether or not it was meant to notch up the intensity, the DVD contains several more songs as well as a couple of extended versions not heard on the CD. But what matters more than an overall length is that this is a concert document that sizzles, causing you to hear Ozomatli in its element. It’s enough to cause a little sunshine to peak through a cloudy day. And in this time of Mother Nature’s wrath, government fiascos, enemies with weapons of mass destruction and Big Brother knowing your every move, Ozomatli on Live at the Fillmore may not have the answer to every question but it sure as hell understands that the Melting Pot can produce one helluva tasty dish.
While both Ozomatli and Si*Se view the music of the world as a part of a grand buffet of sound, what both artists have most in common is the ability to cause immediate repeat listenings.
