There is hip-hop, ska, reggae, jazz, flamenco, funk, salsa, mariachi, eastern tinge, western energy, you name it, its here. The prevailing flavors though are a variety of Latino styles across the board and street hip-hop. The production and sound is actually better on this CD vice their second release "Embrace the Chaos". But the hip hop for me is more alive on "Embrace the Chaos."

Standout tracks are "Como Ves", "Super bowl Sundae", and "Cut Chemist Suite." It's difficult to remain in your seat when these are playing. Ozomatli just has a good feel to the music. Go buy this and wear it well...all around the world.


Ozomatli is a band with potential!   January 23, 1999
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I decided to buy this CD based on all the positive reviews that it recieved and all the "Top 10 Albums of 1998" lists it appeared on. I was expecting to hear some great music and when I finally bought the CD, I wasn't disappointed! I have a new favorite band! Ozomatli is truly awesome and their mix of several different musical and cultural styles is outstanding! I LOVE IT! Too bad the small, microscopic fraction of people who don't like the album can't appreciate real music. From what I hear, the band is even better live. I've never seen them live yet (I'm a newcomer to the Ozomatli bandwagon), but I would jump at the chance to see them. This album is simply the best one I've heard in years. This ain't no tired pop music stuff, this is the music of the 21st Century! Ozomatli definitely has potential. If they can remain consistent in making great music from the heart and staying real, then they will enjoy a long and successful career. I hope to see Ozomatli still rocking the house 25 years from now!


Such a refreshing change   October 6, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

As a fan of J-5, the release of this album made sense, in that Jurassic 5 make a point of putting their music first and image last. Ten piece band 'Ozomatli' seem to work perfectly in tandem with Chali 2na an Cut Chemist, blending all of their styles so well that it sounds as if this is how hiphop should be- a fusion of a wide variety of styles. When this album came out, i would listen to it over and over again, and because of the albums' diversity, it never felt tiresome. It is very difficult to put into words how successful this collaboration is, buy it and you will understand. For those who dont want to buy it, download track such as:
cut chemist suite, o le le and cumbia de los muertos


Son de la tierra   May 14, 2002
Kazwailah (Ogden, UT United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

When I saw Ozo on Conan O'Brien, I was so impressed with a huge (13 piece?) band playing hip hop that I bought the CD the next day. At first I really only got into the rap tracks with Chali 2na. The reason at the time was that I didn't understand Spanish. But after learning spanish over the course of a couple of years in Sudamerica, I gave it another listen and saw the true musicianship that went into this album. Buy it for the message, and if you don't always understand the words, buy it for la pura musica.


Simply Astounding   March 12, 2004
Costas D (Montreal, Canada)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is one of the best Latino cd's I am proud to play in my rotation 6 years after the album was released. I first heard Ozomatli when they opened for Santana in Montreal and I was like woah! I was on my feet dancing throughout their opener. They were so pumped and hyped that no matter what mood you are in they just get you in this partying and dancing mood that you cannot resist. If you are the kind of person who loves those smooth Latino beats blended with a bit of everything for an ultimate summer driving cd be sure to pick this up!!!