My article in DIRT!! woot!

Look! I am on the front page of www.boulderdirt.com/music


The actual article from the paper. They spelled my name right, got my show right AND it's in color with the 1190 logo!!

So you can actually read the article, here it is...
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Top 5 CDs I am listening to:
Bjork - "Medulla"
Postal Service - "Give Up"
The Pillows - "FLCL Soundtrack"
Cat Stevens - "Cat's Cradle"
The Walls - "Hi-Lo"

Ozomatli, the Los Angles based Afro-Latino band, released their third album, "Street Signs," in June. The album blends heartfelt lyrics with Hip Hop and Middle Eastern influences—a combination that is both a mosaic of sounds and brilliant tracks. Mixing English and Spanish lyrics, Ozomatli lays down a steady beat that will keep your feet tapping.

Ozomatli's first album was released on September 11, 2001. Instead of canceling tour dates as most bands did at the time, Ozomatli continued to treat fans to amazing and uplifting performances. Trumpet player and co-vocalist Asdru Sierra states on their website (www.ozomatli.com), "Music is the key to every culture, the beginning of an understanding...September 11 really pushed us to delve into North African and Arab music. For us, music is a language far more universal than politics."

On "Street Signs," songs like "Believe" and "Who's to Blame" contain more Middle Eastern percussion and strings backing up Hip Hop lyrics. In addition, the album contains songs like "Santiago" which has its influences in flamenco and mixes classical guitar and light drums. Other tracks on the album include "Saturday Night" which is a true-to-the-heart-of-Hip-Hop-and-dance track with minimal backbeats and brass instrumentals. My favorite track (if I have to pick a favorite) is the Beatle Bob Remix of Ya Viene El Sol, which samples a live intro from Beatle Bob along with turntable scratching, layered vocals, and solid tabla drumming.

Ozomatli's live performances take the band one step beyond their already great studio sound. The band enthralls the audience with danceable beats that will make even the dourest of listener bounce. Like any successful live act, Ozomatli thrives on audience interaction, leaving the stage and bringing the music into the crowd. Even after the improv sets and offering beats and melodies that create an ocean of dancing fans, Ozomatli makes the extra effort to connect with their fan base by chatting with the audience and signing autographs.

Ozomatli has blended cultures to create something unique that fans can latch on to. "Street Signs" has lifted the band even further into the stratosphere with its post-9/11 look at the war torn areas of Africa and the Middle East. Luckily for you, Ozomatli has found a way to mix difficult social commentary with danceable beats and heavenly harmonies. So whether you're looking to reflect on current events or merely to dance the night away, Ozomatli's "Street Signs" has a little something for everyone.
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I want to thank Ben for editing it for me, he made this article about a million times better than my "woot I love music and rocks!" writing. :) He totally rocks and I want to give him credit for it.