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diversion
Ozo embraces
L.A.
By Christine Shin
On-line Forty-Niner
Ozomatli's infectious energy once again permeated throughout
its audience at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater in Hollywood
Wednesday.
The band performed as part of their fall tour in support of
their new CD, "Embrace the Chaos." The show also
included songs from their self-titled debut album - an album
that established Ozo as a band committed to social change
for the community.
"We're headed for some crazy times," trumpet and
lead vocalist Asdru Sierra said to the audience, in remembrance
of the East Coast attacks. "We should learn to love each
other and 'embrace our chaos.'"
With this, Sierra dedicated the show to "all the people
who died on both sides" and then thanked fans for their
support in helping Ozo's dreams become reality.
After the serious note, Ozo continued to move the audience
to groove to their Afro-Latin fusion of sound and did not
fail to show them a good time.
Seats are not necessary at an Ozo show as sitting down is
unheard of. When the band members themselves are dancing and
jumping around together on stage, it's hard for the audience
not to groove with them. After all, the name "Ozomatli"
is Nahuatl for the Aztec god of dance.
Songs switch between Spanish and English, but this was barely
noticeable with all the beats bouncing off the stage. What
was apparent was the band's connection with the audience.
The band continually thanked the audience for coming out and
voiced how much they love Los Angeles.
"It feels good to be home," said percussionist Jiro
Yamaguchi.
Wil-Dog Abers, bassist and vocalist, also said he enjoyed
being in Los Angeles, coming home to such a nice welcome.
Hip-hop vocalist Medusa surprised the audience with a guest
visit, to join Ozo in "Vocal Artillery," which also
features Wil.I.Am and Kanetic Source on the album. Common
and De La Soul also make guest appearances on the CD.
Ozo's infamous exit was one of the highlights of the night,
as the band exited the same way they entered - through the
audience. After the band walked off stage and into the audience,
they continued to jam for a good 15 minutes, fooling around
with the audience with camp-fire songs and the "Hokey-Pokey."
Missing the Black-Chicano-Cuban-Japanese-Jewish-Filipino crew's
live performance means missing out on one of the most energetic
music shows still touring.
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