Ozomatli

The Jazz Café in Camden London is a relatively intimate venue with a capacity of about 350.We arrive in good time and make our way to the well stocked bar. The variety is pretty wide and the prices as mad as you would expect in a popular London bar.

Upstairs, those arriving early and feeling peckish can enjoy the view of the band from the balcony. Downstairs the stage appears to have been extended to accommodate the band and their number, which fluctuates from large to massive.



As the venue fills and anticipation builds, there is a cheer from the far corner of the room. The Los Angeles based band are appearing from upstairs and walking along the balcony and down the open staircase straight onto the stage. One by one they make their way across the stage packed with instruments, acknowledging the rapturous applause and finding their spot. As they settle in, it becomes obvious that they're here to party. The opening track 'Dos Cosas Ciertas' galvanises everyone into a frenzied mass, bodies pumping and working up a sweat to the Latino funk fused hip-hop sounds. It sounds like an odd mixture trying to put it into words, but Ozomatli make music that sounds and feels natural.

The first impressions are that tonight there are two drummers and a percussionist. All three are engaging the audience while keeping a perfect beat with one another. Bass player Willy 'Wil-Dog' Abers lays down the funk and the brass section adds another dimension. Tre Hardson, a rapper from Pharcyde, joins them on stage and together they cover the Pharcyde track 'She keeps on Passing Me By', which is a highlight of the set for me. It's laid back grooves are just enough to allow the masses a breather while ensuring that there is enough pace to take the party back to its dizzy heights for its crescendo.



Space is at a premium both on stage and off. The £35 ticket price hasn't deterred the hardcore. I'm really impressed by the slick movement between musical styles. One moment jazz and then a more Latin feel and then the amazingly named Ulises Bella puts down his saxophone and picks up a melodica to add a really basic reggae undertone. His talents are given a perfect showcase in an impromptu clarinet solo capturing the whole audience in a spellbound trance.

I'm not sure if it's a trademark, but Ozomatli end their set as they have each time I have seen them by climbing into the crowd. Somehow they manage to continue making music as they wander around the rammed dancefloor while some fans take to the stage to get a better view and others to gain more dancing space. Ozomatli have impressed me. Not only for their musicianship, but also for their ability to whip up a bunch of people from a mundane Thursday night into a party that really does not want to end. I would love to see these guys on the same bill as the Balkan Beatbox. Together they could rule the world!



Set List:
Dos Cosas Ciertas
Esa Morena
City of Angels
Can't Stop
Eva
When I Close My Eyes
Saturday Night
After Party
Here We Go
Intro
Cumbia de los Muertos
She keeps on passing me by
Aqui No Sera
La Temperatura
Dejame en Paz
Como Ves

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.