OZOMATLI – no monkeying around!

FROM ISSUE # 135 (March 2007) | IN THIS ISSUE
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The two time Grammy winning Latin Alternative rockers Ozomatli captivated the audience with their amazing performance at the Khula Manch on February 17. The politically motivated band's music was more than able to cross the barriers of language and connect with the audience. So much so that Jabu Smith, the rapper for the band, proclaimed between the concert, "We just made our way from India and lemme tell ya guys, You rock harder than India!!"

The appreciation was also evident after the concert when we caught Ozo's vocalist Asdru Sierra. "It was just amazing how the people responded to our music. It was a rocking one", he said. The concert was organized under the sponsorship of the American Center and USAID/Nepal. The free for all concert, was also broadcasted live on Nepal television and Kantipur F.M. Robin and the New Revolution, one of the powerhouses of Nepali Rock music, opened the concert invigorating the crowd with their widely popular songs.

An ensemble band featuring 9 members from various ethnicities, Ozomatli has been in the music scene since the last 12 years. "Our music reflects our individuality and the experiences that we, the members have had during our lives both individually and as a group", Raul Pachero, the guitarist,  commented on their music.

The band also paid a visit to the Umbrella Foundation during their stay in Nepal. "It was an experience that we will definitely remember for the rest of our lives", said Asdru. "Its quiet amazing that these children have been able to maintain a positive outlook despite the chaos they have been through. It is such individuals that provide us with a ray of hope into the future". The chief message the band wanted to get across through the concert was "Unity in diversity", quiet a fitting message considering Nepal's current political situation and the band's own coherent musical integrity.

It is safe to say that we shall see more of Ozomatli again in the near future. "Oh we definitely plan to return! I still have to learn the sarangi", quipped Asdru. Till the time he does so we'll have to make do with their albums, we guess.