American hip-hop band Ozomatli to rock Jakarta

Ary Hermawan ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 03/25/2008 12:43 PM

Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ), usually the venue for classical performances, for the first time will host a raucous American hip-hop band that plays music for peace, social justice and cultural diversity.

Los Angeles-based Latin rock/alternative band Ozomatli, which is known for its strong anti-war viewpoints and proclivity for combining various musical styles, is scheduled to perform at the playhouse on Tuesday (tonight).

"This is the first time that GKJ has presented a hip-hop band," Sarah Ulfah, the cultural center's spokeswoman, told The Jakarta Post.

The concert is being held by GKJ in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.

News of the scheduled performance has gone almost unnoticed by local rock fans, especially compared to earlier concerts by American bands like Incubus, Skid Row and Halloween.

"It is not a commercial concert. We don't sell tickets, it's all by invitation," Sarah said.

Ozomatli -- the name is derived from the astrological symbol of the monkey as the god of dance, new harvests and music -- plays salsa, urban hip-hop, jazz, reggae, flamenco and rock.

After releasing its second album, Embrace the Chaos (2001), the group added touches of North African and Arab musical styles to their sound.

On the 2004 album Street Sign, Ozomatli collaborated with Moroccan sinter (a three-stringed skin-covered bass plucked lute) virtuoso Hasan Makmoun and the Prague Symphony Orchestra. Salsa pioneer Eddie Palmieri is also a featured performer on the album, which won the Grammy for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.

Ozomatli are Wil-Dog Abers (bass, marimbula, background vocals), Ra*l "El Bully" Pacheco (guitar, tres, jarana, vocals), Justin 'El Por*e (percussion, rap vocals), Asdru Sierra (trumpet, lead vocals, piano), Ulises Bella (saxophone, requinto jarocho, keyboard, melodica), Jiro Yamaguchi (tabla, cajon, assorted percussion), Mario Calire (drums), Sheffer Bruton (trombone) and Tre Hardson (rap vocals)

The original band members were affiliated with the Peace and Justice Center before deciding to form a band that could serve as a vehicle to express and support their progressive political views. Their first audience was made up of protesters during a strike.

The band's self-titled debut album, Ozomatli, was released in 1998. Three years later saw the release of Embrace the Chaos, which coincided with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Their latest album, Don't Mess with the Dragon, was released last year. It is considered the band's most cohesive and polished record by which, according to band member Ulises Bella, they are "really ready to present the world with what they believe in".

Ozomatli will play at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on Tuesday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. Invitation information contacts: Wisnu Adi 021-3808283 or 021-3441892.

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