Street Signs

Ozomatli | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 22, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B00025EU0E
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,532 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #89 in Music > World Music > Middle East > General AAS
  • #89 in Music > World Music > Middle East > General
  • #97 in Music > Latin Music > Urban > Latin Hip-Hop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

You generally don't have to listen too hard to hear what's on the mind of Los Angeles music collective Ozomatli. The multi-faceted band is rarely subtle in its politics or its incorporation of countless Latin traditions as well as modern rock, jazz, pop and hip-hop. But on the band's third album, Street Signs, the addition of the Prague Symphony and the distinct influence of Arab and North African music certainly qualify as ambitious curve balls. Announcing its intentions from the get-go, album-opener "Believe" starts with a Rai-style vocal melody before finishing with a gritty rap as Bollywood-style strings provide a sweeping backdrop throughout. Never lingering in one place for long, the band quickly goes from there into some of the catchiest Latin Rock this side of Santana's "Smooth" on such gems as "Love And Hope" and "(Who Discovered) America?" before tearing off in other directions. These fearless hip-hop bambinos truly go their own way, saying what they want, playing what they want. --Tad Hendrickson

Product Description

UK pressing of 2004 album, from L.A. based worldbeat act described as 'the best live band in the world', features 15 tracks including 2 exclusive bonus tracks, 'Como Me Duele' & 'Believe' (recorded live at Boulder Theatre). Concord. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The soundtrack to the revolution., April 1, 2005

By 

The Wickerman (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Street Signs (Audio CD)

I discovered Ozomatli through an interview I read with actor John Cusack, who is a big fan of the band. He was laying some heavy praise on them, and described their music as a "cultural block party". I can't think of a better description myself.

Ozomatli's sound is like the musical manifestion of racial and cultural unity. They combine so many different musical styles, and do so with amazingly effortless style. Despite the extreme diversity, the music is never cluttered or offputting. Everything fits together perfectly, and the music is always fun, upbeat, and exciting. It's like a perfect symbol of different races and creeds living together in harmony. And, their positive lyrical messages on that very subject help to perpetuate that image.

Musically, there is more going on here than I could possibly put into words. The band uses an extensive arsenal of instruments, including strings, horns, tribal percussion, and jazzy piano. A song can go from salsa, to hip hop, to tribal, to jazz, all in the blink of an eye. "Believe", the opening track, gets everything started in this fashion immediately. Starting with a fiery Latin melody, adorned with strings, it soon moves into a smooth rap part to humble any modern rapper that's popular today. "Love & Hope" and "Who Discovered America?" are a bit more straight-forward pop, with a bit of a Los Lonely Boys feel. The title track and "Saturday Night" are more rap-oriented, with jazzy undertones. "Who's to Blame?" is an intense tribal beat driven track, with amazing vitriolic rap vocals (he barely takes a breath throughout the whole song).

As the album goes, the Spanish influence begins to shine through more. The album features lyrics both in English and Spanish, mostly in Spanish in the latter half. "Dejame en Paz" is a foot-stomping Salsa track, with fast, jovial rhythms, cool vocal improv, and an instrumental section with a wicked odd time groove. "Santiago" slows things down a bit, with some nice flamenco guitar. "Dona Isabelle" is a short classical piano instrumental, and "Nadie Te Tirra" brings back the rap, with a sweet jazzy piano solo. The album ends with the uplifting ballad, "Cuando Canto", with a downright beautiful vocal performance.

These guys are without a doubt one of the most talented bands out there right now. To make such artistic and eclectic music, and still be fun and accessible is not an easy thing to accomplish, but they have done it like few others can. Get everything that has anything to do with this band.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A creative journey, September 9, 2005

By 

Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Street Signs (Audio CD)

I have listened to Ozomatli rather sporadically over the past few years. I was impressed with what I heard, but I guess I never really paid attention to them enough to pick up any of their albums. At any rate, I came across this album, Street Signs, that they released last year, so I decided to check it out.

I have to say that picking this album up was a wise decision. For those that don't know, Ozomatli is a multiracial band, and while I don't know any of the members by name yet, each member successfully brings something to the table. There are elements of rap, salsa, rock, and Tejano (among other styles) to be found on here, and they all blend together well to make a good mix.

While it's hard to pick a favorite song on here, "Believe" and the title track definitely spring to mind. And the party joint "Saturday Night" actually comes off very well. Basically, you can call Ozomatli hip-hop, progressive rock, or whatever you want, but all you really need to do is start paying attention to some street signs.

Anthony Rupert

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This 44-year-old Ozo newbie is knocked out!, October 27, 2004

By 

K. Wicker (Durham, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Street Signs (Audio CD)

I'm a world music (and rock and jazz and modernist classical) fan who has never really been much into Latin music. I happened to overhear a few brief snatches of Ozomatli on, of all places, NPR. I was intrigued by the way they flavored some of their Latin tunes with Arab influences, intrigued enough to buy Street Signs. It is one of those very few albums which is clearly worth the price, well worth it.

The album is incredible! Every song is in a different style (from hip-hop to quaint old fashioned Latina ballads to funk to salsa to rap to ranchero and even some very good jazz piano), yet each is exactly what it should be -- and everything seems to be played with great intensity and pleasure. It's an album that gets under your skin; the tunes keep playing in my head (but not in that annoying way that overly sweet pop tunes can). And these guys are musically ambitious, never afraid to push the envelope and bring together very different musical traditions in a way that really works, and is really exciting.

Ozomatli has opened up a whole new world of music for me. I guess I'll have to try out their earlier albums now.