It's the people's music.
That's percussionist Jiro Yamaguchi's answer to what Ozomatli is.
"Categories are always a little tough," he said. "It's music to dance to."
Writers across the globe have tried unsuccessfully to classify the 10-piece cacophony that is Ozomatli. Street Signs, the latest release, sports more Middle Eastern and African influences than past efforts, but Ozo's signature sounds are unmistakable. And I'd get into what that signature is, but then I'd wind up in the same boat as all those other writers.
Yamaguchi's definition is a good place to start, but fans would likely identify Ozo as so much more. Danceable? Yes. For the people? Sure. But that only begins to speak to the band's dead-on politics, guru-style musicianship, Einstein-like innovation and down-to-earth outlook - not to mention its addictive properties. Ever had a CD that just wouldn't leave your stereo?
OK, so I'm a fan.
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For horn player Uli Bella, the most remarkable thing about Ozo's fans is the enormity of their hospitality.
"Fans will let you stay in their house for a whole week or drive you everywhere," he said.
Bella said one time word got out that he had a kitchen in his hotel room. After a show, he went to his room, and it was full of groceries. Then, out of seemingly nowhere, fans came out of the woodwork to cook for everyone.
Ozomatli's Web site tells similar tales of community gathering, including big barbecues in hotel parking lots.
Bella said Ozo's looking forward to playing Albuquerque on Saturday, because shows here are guaranteed to sell out or come really close.
Ozomatli toured the world and back again. Yamaguchi said though band members try to keep the trips short because many of Ozo's members have families, they've pretty much been on tour constantly. And it's hard, he said, to move 10 guys around the globe.
"You're doing the same (expletive) every day," he said. "But you're in a different place, and it's different people. But we're playing music, so how can you complain? We're not digging ditches. We're lucky to be able to do what we do."
Bella expressed similar sentiments.
"We did this on our own," he said. "We created it on our own. Once it's over, it's over, and none of us want that. We work hard to keep the machine going."
But Bella said that while Ozo's musicians are looking to see how far they can take this thing, they will never put limits on their growth. And on some level, they'll always be the same old Ozo.
"We want to keep a certain spirit and vibe to the band that will be unchanged," Bella said.
So what makes this group tick?
"I guess it's the willingness to just try to make it work," Yamaguchi said. "Our philosophy is one of inclusion instead of exclusion. From day one, it's never like, 'That's something that's never been done before, so we don't want to try that.' We try to make it work."
COMING ATTRACTION
Ozomatli
Sunshine Theatre 120 Central Ave.
Saturday at 9 p.m.
