KCRW in conjunction with the Mexican Board of Tourism closed the 2008 KCRW Concert Series in style with an eclectic blend of world music artists featuring Ozomatli, Michael Franti , & Spearhead, Lila Downs, and the Nortec Collective. Hosted by KCRW DJ Raul Campos, the audience at the Bowl was treated to an upbeat and exciting night of music and artistry.
The LA based and world re-known, Ozomatli, headlined the show. In typical, non typical tradition, the band started their set by appearing out of the dark, half way up the 18,000 seat venue accompanied by carnival characters on stage and in the isles. The connection with the audience was instant and much of the crowd was hard pressed to sit down during the set.
Ozomatli have won three Grammy Awards and two Billboard Latin Awards. The band is still enjoying the success and recognition of their 2007 release of, "Don't Mess with the Dragon" as well as their unofficial anthem, "City of Angels."
The band proudly celebrates diversity and was recently bestowed the official honor and position as US Cultural Ambassadors by the US State Department. And, if you haven't heard, they now host The Ozomatli Morning Show on Los Angeles radio station 98.7FM.
The Ozomatli sound is a rich and uplifting blend of urban, Latin, African, hip hop, R&B, reggae, salsa, dancehall, cumbia, samba, meringue, comparsa, raga, and East LA funk. Ozomatli is a model of how diversity can promote change and how music can be the messenger of peace and understanding. The band and their musical message have been embraced around the world.
The band has been together for 13 years.
Opening the show was, Nortec Collective, an eclectic band from Tijuana, with a musical style that blends techno, house, electronica, old, new, and traditional Mexican music. The bands album, "Tijuana Sessions, Vol. 3" received two Latin Grammy nominations and delivered the hit songs, "Tengo La Voz", "Tijuana Bass", and "Tijuana Makes Me Happy."
The driving creative forces behind Nortec are band members, Bostich and Fussible. The group debuted their latest album, "Bostich + Fussible: Tijuana Sound Machine." The Nortec Collective is Fussible (Pepe Mogt), Bostich (Ramón Amezcua), Panóptica (Roberto Mendoza), Clorofila (Jorge Verdín) and Hiperboreal (PG Beas).
Singer-songwriter, Lila Downs followed Nortec with her sexy, sultry, and rich vocal styling that rooted in the Mexican cancion ranchera tradition. Downs was raised in southern Mexico and in Minnesota. Her father was a biologist, painter, and cinematographer that taught the the University of Minnesota. Her mother was a mixtec Indian from Oaxaca, Mexico and a stage performer. Lila began composing contemporary and traditional folk music in 1994. She teamed up with Paul Cohen and started to record in 1999. The collaboration led to the following CD's, "La Sandunga" (1999) "Border/La linea, " (2001) "La Cantina:Entre Copa Y Copa" (2005). "La Cantina: Entre Copa y Copa" won a Latin Grammy.
Lila contributed to the sound track for the acclaimed feature film, "Frida" won the Oscar Award for soundtrack. Lila performed a song from the soundtrack at the 2003 Oscar ceremony with Caetano Veloso.
Lila's set was filled with passion, heart, and a sensitivity for her Mexican culture and heritage. She grabbed the audience from the start of her set and did not let go. Lila's deep, rich voice fused with the rhythm section to create an energy that was hard to avoid being a part of.
Rounding out the set was the politically charged, socially conscious, singer-songwriter, Michael Franti and Spearhead. The California born musician, poet, and songwriter, connected with the audience and had them on their feet for his entire set. The audience was dancing, jumping, waving, and singing to and with Franti as he sang his songs of love, war, protest, and politics. Frantis' sound blends soul, reggae, dance, funk, rock, and a touch of hip hop.
Franti has a strong and charismatic stage presence that draw you in and is easy to get behind. His music and his politics are connected. A vigorous advocate for political change and a better human condition, Franti is not only a worldwide million-selling artist, but also a leader in the peace and social justice movement.
