Customer Reviews

Street Signs

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

The latest CD from Ozomatli is truly, truly superb. I have, of course, seen them live, and the band is justly legendary for their concert performances. Of their CDs, I thought that their first was incredible (it's been a staple listening pleasure of mine for years and hasn't grown the least bit stale), but I was soooooooo let down by 'Embrace the Chaos' (why? I can't explain, exactly, but it just didn't seem as vibrant as their debut...I'm willing to give it another chance, though) that I awaited 'Street Signs' with some trepidation. But MAN OH MAN, has 'Street Signs' brought me back to the fold!

This CD is nothing but a study in excellence. Outstanding musicianship, wild (and wide) world influences (check the Arabic flava of 'Believe' and the strings on 'Love and Hope'...My girlfriend even thought that when 'Believe' kicked in, that I had put on a Rachid Taha CD)...And the band brings the FUNK. That 'Saturday Night' is the single ain't no surprise, but what did surprise me was the DC, Trouble Funk go-go sound the band kicks out. Overall, I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite track on this CD, and the production is absolutely top-notch.

Pick up 'Street Signs' without delay. In our culture, where political art is too often met with indifference, Ozomatli are more than up to the task of mixing it up and making music and action matter again. Plus, it's a PARTY, and who doesn't love that?

Street Signs is definitely one of the best CD's of the year. Ozomatli has always been an innovative band and this CD shows why. This production is definitely one of their best! Every single track is pure energy (y muchas te ponen a bailar como siempre!) I highly recommend it! If you have yet to hear the Ozo sound this will become the most used in your collection. I myself have been playing it non-stop for about 2 weeks now!

Ozomatli is still one of the best bands out there!

It is ashame that they haven't been as well received by the masses as they should be. This band is on my top five bands to see live. If you ever get a chance to see them live, don't deny yourself! I'm on my way to Iraq (activated Army National Guard), and I regret I will be missing their promotional tour of their new album. So do your patriotic duty, and go see them for me, and be converted!

I will just say this about their third album, it still isn't as great as their first one. I did like this one better initially than their second album. But overall, if you want a great music album that gets your feet moving get Street Signs!

PS In response to the obvious cretin who wrote that Chali2na sucks, obviously has never heard good rap. I recommend you checkout Jurasic 5, and listen to 2na crank out some of the best rhymes with the rest of the J5 crew ever put down on tracks. (not to mention Cut Chemist Suite and Super Bowl Sundae, which 2na rhymes on the first OZO album being two of my favorite songs)

So don't be worried about getting this album if you are in the, um, over 35 generation and "hate rap" - that's me and I thought every song on this album was great! A guy I worked with in Texas recommended this band after hearing some of my CD mixes at work (probably b/c I like Mana). I happened to see Ozomatli live here in Kauai and they give the best concert I have ever seen (sorry about that Bruce (Springsteen) and Tom (Petty) who are the two who used to hold that honor in my pantheon).
I just got this and Live at the Fillmore which is excellent as well, although there's some overlap.
If you just like music (yes, it's like having to go to the ugh, country section, to get your Mary Chapin Carpenter and Townes van Zandt) check it out regardless of your prejudices towards "urban" music

When i first Heard Ozomatli, i was confused as to wheter to put them in the spanish group, rap group, hip hop, flamenco, salsa or middle eastern. What i realized is they are an energetic fusion of it all. Ozomatil is a revolutionary band group with no limits to what they will do with thier music. this is one of thier best discs and my favorite.

energetic, tittilating, foot tappingly amazing. a must have for any music collection.

I am so glad I purchased this cd today! I am thrilled at the quality of the album. Ska ? Punk ? Salsa ? Merengue ? Dance ?Jazz !? Pop ? WHAT ARE THEY !? All of the above and then some. I have never had the chance to see these guys live, but after getting this gem, you had better believe I will! I'm stunned by the breadth and VAST range of music on this ONE disc... Fun. Gorgeous, fun, awakening, man, I can't sum it up..

Just buy it!

Back in 1999 I saw Ozo in SoCal at a small venue more known for relatively tame, so-called mainstream acts. They were the first band I saw in normally laid-back (catatonic???) Orange County in a long while to keep the ENTIRE crowd on their feet for two hours. A while later I saw them at the Santana "Supernatural" mega-tour, and they nearly stole the show. Of course, they were touring behind their selftitled 1998 release, which I think is still their best overall work.

Street Signs is a tremendous CD all the same. Revolution or no, (and politics or no) this music will not let you be still. Hey, the streets of East LA are a long way from Racine... but the Ozo sound (sounds!!!) reach out everywhere. All in all this is a great dance mix, with enough unusual stuff to keep it interesting and far from monotonous. Musically it might not break much new ground, but it is a masterful assembly of electronica, hip-hop, Latin and enough different beats and feels to power a block party all by itself.