Ozomatli
On the surface, nothing's changed. There's the same core line-up, the same oppositional politics, the same live shows that erupt into drum-line blessed community parties, and the same devotion to polyglot urban sound clashing. But here's what's new: after 12 years of collaborative song-writing, 12 years of constant touring everywhere from Denver to Tokyo to Sydney, 12 years of supporting anti-war mobilizations and global human rights movements, 12 years of pioneering Spanish-English mash-ups of hip hop, salsa, cumbia, dub, and Middle Eastern funk, and most importantly, 12 years of facing up to internal battles and personal struggles, they've emerged anew with their fourth full-length studio album, Don't Mess With The Dragon, the band's most cohesive, polished, and joyous record to date.
Don't Mess With The Dragon was written and recorded with a firm commitment to collective creation. They began writing and experimenting with songs in informal sessions in the fall of 2005 at a local Los Angeles Latino art gallery, Tropico de Nopal. Then came recording sessions in the legendary Fantasy studios in Northern California, followed by sessions at a slew of prime LA recording houses. Much of the band's renewed sense of musical collaboration comes from their relationship with their label, venerable jazz and Latin stalwarts Concord Records. Don't Mess With The Dragon is Ozo's second full length, studio offering for Concord — their longest stay with a single label. The band's dedication to addressing social justice issues—a hallmark of Ozomatli's work ever since the band formed in 1995 as part of a local labor protest—continues on Don't Mess With The Dragon. The blazing "Temperatura" was inspired by the May 2006 pro-immigration marches ("We wanted people to take it to the streets and turn up the heat," says Wil-Dog) and "Magnolia Soul" rebukes the Bush administration for their lack of Katrina relief. "The whole album is really a statement of just how much we want to take Ozo to the next level in terms of music and artistry," says Bella. "We paid our dues. We toured our asses off. After twelve years, we're really ready to present the world with what we believe in."