May 23, 2009 · 1:28 PM

Hablas Spanglish? Ozomatli brings LA to the Hard Rock

By Sarah Feldberg

LA-based band Ozomatli played at the Hard Rock Pool on May 22.

Photo: Sarah Feldberg

LA-based seven piece Ozomatli brought their musical stew of hip hop, rock, salsa and funk to the Hard Rock Pool last night for a show packed with hip swinging rhythms and border crossing lyrics.

More

Beyond the Weekly
Ozomatli

The bilingual band’s Spanglish songs drifted over the poolscape, the words bouncing between rap and straight song, as the group danced, jumped and sang into the exuberant crowd. Mixed into the eclectic melodies, were a few familiar covers. Charles Wright’s “Express Yourself” popped into the mix, as did a few bars from Sublime, each punctuating Ozomatli’s patchwork renditions of hits off their 2007 album Don’t Mess with the Dragon like a momentary mashup.

Ozomatli @ Hard Rock Pool

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

But while the interludes were a pleasant surprise, it was the Grammy-winning band’s tunes like “La Gallina” and “Can’t Stop” that really got the diverse crowd moving.

As night swept over the stage, Ozomatli sang out the call and response refrain from “Ya Viene el Sol” off their 2003 album Coming Up. With the audience filling in half of each line, the group sang out words that combined their bilingual flavor and high energy live performance: “Oye, baby. Oye, mami. Dónde está la after party?”

Hey, baby. Hey, mami. Where is the after party?

If Ozomatli is going to be there, I’d really like to know.

Post a comment

Commenting requires registration.

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Weekly editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Full comments policy.

Already Registered? Log In Below.
Username:
Password:  Forgotten your password?
 

SMS Alerts

Videos

Video Library

  • Holly Madison vs. Lucky Leprechaun
  • Faces of Haiti
  • DJ Pauly D
  • The Restroom at Vanity
  • Sugar Factory
  • DJ Skribble and his Freak Show
  • 'Small Town'
  • Life is a Drag

Cocktail of the Week

Cocktail of the Week Mar 18, 2010
by Xania Woodman

Now drink this: Fresh things!

Things are getting pretty fresh over at the Renaissance Hotel’s Envy Lounge. Newly-named Bar Chef Christian Oldan is settling into his new role quite nicely and is making freshness the ...
Read more...