Street Signs

Another album not in my copy of the book. There's an awful lot of divergence between different versions and (as I've noted before) a lot of more contemporary releases added and then quickly removed. It's almost like the people who curate this don't know how to evaluate modern music for its lasting impact. Anyway, I had never listened to Ozomatli before, but I knew of them as Cut Chemist's other group. In addition to Cut Chemist, Chali 2na has also collaborated with them, further cementing their connection to Jurassic 5. Ozomatli also share some of Jurassic 5's issues - namely, their lack of depth. They're fine, there's nothing wrong with them, but like a meal lacking much caloric content, you're going to be hungry again in an hour. There's a wiffliness to them, a lack of edge, a lack of bite. It's frustratingly clean and safe and, well, kind of boring. It shouldn't be. It's blending elements of a lot of genres, but it never feels like more than the sum of its parts. Why? How can you combine disparate elements and sound somehow formulaic? Better than Oasis though.

A waste of time and space. Clear Latin music influences without doing anything interesting or worthwhile with it. Lyrics are corny and lack any sort of worthwhile message. Every genre influence it brings in does nothing to meaningfully expand on the core ideas, leading to cheap attempts of hip-hop, funk, rock, turntablism, and so forth. This drags on for nearly an hour without improvement. Skip this one.

Excellent - shame the whole album isn't on spotify...

Remember when we forgot for awhile that other countries had instruments too? I'd listen to Chali 2na read the phonebook

Every song in "Street Signs", Ozomatli's third album, is a blast of latin rock, funk and hip hop in your face. An ensamble of great musicians with a great variety of references coming together to create a nuanced and cohesive record that talks about workers rights and imigration in a very interesting way, that keeps you hooked from start to finish. "Believe" and "Santiago" are beautiful songs.

Never heard of this band until now. Not sure why they are not huge radio mega stars. My theory on the fly is the hype machine doesn't know how to market this kind of music unless there is an individual (ie. Bruno Mars) to focus on. Their sound is varied with all kinds of different touchstones; funk, latin pop, rock, alternative maybe even, rap, hip hop and jazz . Everything is performed with a verve and energy that is absolutely infectious. This is not typically my genre but this album will remain on my playlist. Favorite song; Love and Hope. 4 🌟

hmm, I really thought I was going to enjoy this album. I feel like maybe there was a time when I listened to Ozomatli and liked them. This just feels like a mashup of the least interesting latin music and hip hop. It's upbeat and poppy and boring

7/10 i liked the concept of fusing so many genres. However, it felt a bit shallow overall , like they settled for having unique beats and left it at that.

Loved the album, first song was a banger and the other ones were quite catchy. Didn't expect to have so much fun listening to a Latin Funk Album

Hadn’t heard of them, but thoroughly enjoyed some of the songs.

Street Signs I think I’ve heard of Ozomatli, but only because they did some stuff with Cut Chemist, but had no real idea of what kind of music they make. Obviously it's a YT listen, which makes it a bit of an annoying experience with ads after every song, and not all the songs are available, so it’s kind of a difficult one to rate. However I did enjoy the general vibe, and mix of Hip Hop, Rock, Salsa, Middle Eastern strings etc. Generally I’m not a fan of Salsa but I like it on here - I think the fact that they stuffed so much from many genres into every song in a clearly joyful way it all kind of works. I’m a bit of a sucker for Middle Eastern strings, so I really enjoyed Believe, It sounds quite 90s rather then mid 200s in its production but it's a fun opener. Who’s To Blame is excellent, love 2na’s appearance and the middle eastern riff on what sounds like a melodica, with the more Indian sounding percussion. Bit of a gem. Saturday Night is good too, the dip dive bit and the trumpet punctuating the rhythm. Ya Viene el Sol is nice too. Props to Beatle Bob. Hard to give it a rating when you can’t really listen properly or fully. What I did hear I liked a lot, an energetic fusion album filled with loads of great bits and influences. I’d definitely listen again, but it’s such a shame it’s not on streaming. I’ll go a high 3. 🚸🚸🚸 Playlist submission: Who’s to Blame

Today we have a random rap motives mixed with latin rhythms. It sounds extremely naughties - as early 2000s as possible. I have never heard of this band before, so as with anything that comes from this times, if you haven't listen to it then, there is no chance you will like it now. The songs are okay, they are pretty fun, it's definitely an interesting collaboration between genres, but it's too late for me to really enjoy it. The moment to listen to this album is long gone, even though it sounds like I am in my sixties, and hate new music. Still, I appreciate it, pretty innovative idea.

Didn't hate this, but it felt like every song was the same, and didn't ever end.

An interesting blend of genres and influences that doesn't quite stick the landing - some tracks swirl with the perfect mix of Eastern/Latin/Hip-Hop rhythms, but others bite off more than they can chew and fall into a repetitive (and boring) holding pattern.

2.8 - A bland fusion of Latin rock and hip hop that you’d head at a free summer concert in some medium-sized city.

This is just absolutely not my thing.

Just because you put a latin twist to mediocre music doesn't make it any better.

Definitely shows a lot of the roots of Latin music to come, especially the prominence of Spanish rap in music from artists like El Cata and Bad Bunny.

Amazing

9/10. A great, unique sounding album. A couple songs got on my nerves, but in general this was great.

I have a lot of pre-existing affection for Ozomatli, although I'm more familiar with their earlier albums - saw them live a couple of times and they're fantastic - really bring the energy! Fave tracks - "Believe" is a badass opener, "Dejame En Paz" is a jam, and "Ya Viene El Sol" is just totally joyous!

Believe: very indian sounds, kinda fun Love and hope: its got the Latin piano. It's wierd how jazzy this is and how it feels very different from the jazz im used to. This has "livin la vida loca" Ricky Martin energy, but the violins are such an interesting add that works really well. The repaying lyrics at the end feel like they are for singing and not for chanting. Not what im used to haha Street signs: love the bari sax comboed with the bass, makes the bass feel deeper in the back of the brain just doing what it usually does. I just read the Wikipedia cause I just couldn't place this genre of music. Latin Funk makes so much sense, the music makes so much sense now too. Has a slow and punchy tempo and bass for funk combined with the Latin instrument sounds with the trumpet and piano (Who discovered) america?: this is starting to grow on me, just needed to get into the groove. I cant believe I cant think of another band that does this style of music, it feels so unique and similar to Santana to me right now, especially with the guitar solo. This is really good. This sounds like it would be really fun to play as well Who's to blame: the claps make this song along with the bubbly bass. Not usually into rap but this i can really get behind. Probably not on its own but in the middle of this album it just makes sense Te estoy buscando: what a good tango! Kind of peppy but really cements the "stomp stomp clap clap nose in the air" energy. Love the radio voice and the transitions back into reagular singing, one of my favorite vocal features Saturday night: Really interesting take on the styling. It feels experimental but also very rudimentary. Very opposite with the electric guitar and clams kinda feel Defame en paz: ayy ayy ayyyyyy! Now this is some Mexican style music right here, this i can get behind. Love the call and answere between lead and backup singers! Love the twangy piano sounds, love the sax trumpet stuff. This is going my Playlist right here this is good stuff. Santiago: this is just really good at this point Ya viene el sol: this feels super Indian. Really cool stuff. Donna isabelle: very beautiful piano work. Nadie te tira: the previous intro added so much to this song Chandon Canto: a good calm down I wanted to give it 4 stars at the first half, but this music really won me over. 5 stars, especially for the creativity. I've never heard anything quite like this and im really into how unique it feels for me. Very nice

This album was a fantastic with themes that could have been written in 2022. Latin fusion sound is very underrated. Favorite track: Dejame En Paz

Stellar album, 5 stars

A really interesting blend of cultures and sounds. Anthems for the regular people of LA County. Full of energy, Ozomatli definitely delivered here. Will have to check more of their catalogue out

Great fun. I danced all day.

Please feed me more like this. About to start listening to these guys on the reg.

Latin funk & hip hop. And it fucking rules. Favorite track: Dejame En Paz

cool

I can’t quite believe how much I loved this. It came as a complete surprise to me as I’ve never heard of them and they seem to touch a nerve, in a good way. I had to listen to them a second time just to prove that I wasn’t under some kind of spell or delusion. But a second time on a different day, I still love them. I will be returning to this as it makes me feel happy. I’m not sure it’s quite a five but for the Excitement and novel elements (to me at least), it probably deserves a bit more of a boost.

The clave beat and the salsa piano chords get me every time. Oye! Chica! Tirate! Que Tirate!

Ozomatli is an unique mix - it's a band that sounds like all of the influences that make up Los Angeles. There is a Hispanic foundation, with hip hop beats, a funky horn section, and some rapping. This danceable mix has made the band cultural ambassadors through their near-constant, international touring. Street Signs, the group's third, full-length release, was very well received, and won the Latin/Alternative Grammy the year it was released.. These are fun, catchy songs, with layered orchestrations both from the talented members of the band, and from the use of samples and synthesizers. This is an incredible fusion of a range of styles - again, this sounds like the amazing mixture that is Los Angeles.

First time of listening and what a revelation! great Latin/Rock/Hip Hop throughout. Loved "Saturday Night" "Believe" "Love & Hope " and "Who Discovered America" loved the line "Dip, Dive, Socialise Get Ready for Saturday Night..." Good album well worth it place on this list, homage to Carlos of course!

really enjoyed it, didnt recognize the name but once i started listening i recognized the voice. 10/10 would listen again

Omg yes

I remember when they first started and they were sonething diferent and some of my friends didnt knew what to think of it. By this album they were already settled down and well respected everywhere. An amazing meltong pot of cultures they took all and everything from their hoods in LA and made an incredible album with influences from all over the world. In this one they incorporated the middle eastern sound along with salsa, hip-hop, funk, jazz and some other generes simply an amazing feat. Them talking about activisim and social issues probably didnt help them get on the airwaves just like RATM before them but this album is 5 star album no doubt a must listen to album.

this is a COOL album and one that's absolutely unlike anything we've heard before. members of ozomatli are from latin america, and a lot of the music contains latin elements. interestingly, there's a sitar on the opening track and it gives a south asian feel to the album, even though the sitar is only on the first song. but i stand by that south asian sound isn't as strong as the latin sound but it persists throughout the album. not only that, ozomatli doesn't restrict themselves just to hip hop, and everything about this album is so refreshing. i'm obsessed with these lyrics! i had no idea ozomatli was so passionate about multiple social causes, and it's wonderful to hear such a strong presence in their songs. not only that, the songs are catchy as hell! somehow ozomatli creates such powerful lyrics while making absolute bops. no complaints.

Loved it! great music, hard to find the correct album though.

Finally, an album that I’ve never heard of. That’s really great. Lots of different international styles. Mostly Latin, but also some styles from India and Africa.

What a great band to now know about. Excellent Latin, hip hop, soul and funk. I'll be adding this to my regular rotation.

high energy album with salsa, rap and rock styles.

Absolutely loved these guys! Kind of a cross between Santana, Island music/reggae and rap!

Such a broad-hitting release. Love the diversity of sound.

Nadie Te Tira LOVE!

Having never heard of this group or album I put this on cold and *BAM!* Out of the gate the opening track Believe was a modern, party take on Arab music that set me twirling in my seat! TERRIFIC! Love And Hope, the second track, had more Arabian delights and I thought I knew what I was listening to. Street Signs took things in a very different direction, world music from an entirely different part of the world. What am I listening to?! Turns out Ozomatli is a Latin Funk Rock band who apparently appreciate Arab and North African music - not unlike a certain boy who was known to listen to his mother's belly dance albums from an early age. This is an Arab-North African-Latin-Hip Hop party that I had no idea I - or the world - needed!

Oh my god, this was so good!! From the first beat to the last, I enjoyed it all!!

Ah that’s a shame. I loved the debut album by these guys. Awesome mix of Latino funk and positive Hip Hop. I think I first saw them on The O-zone with Jayne Middlemiss and Jamie Theakston… there’s an esoteric UK throw back you weren’t expecting to see today. I can see why this one isn’t rated highly on here, the one track on Spotify does not do it justice and listening on YouTube feels like a real chore these days. I would recommend digging through some of their stuff though. I loved these guys back in the day. 5 stars, partially for the nostalgia.

Fun and festive with some messages to boot, I loved the whole thing!

Listening to this had multiple health benefits including a lifting of spirits, and a slight loosening of hip joints. Suffice to say I had never heard of this band before today and I am so glad I know of them now.

Amazing fusion of Latin music and modern hip hop. I loved this album so much be it is such a cultural crossover and hits on so many levels.

Ooh, I'm digging this. The 1st track gave me Oojami vibes. Spanish lyrics are a plus!! I'm checking out their other stuff

Are you kidding me! Platinum quality.

fantastic fusion of LA musicians incorating Indian raga, hip-hop, second line, East LA R&B, funk, and an absolute wedding banger that has been lost in my rotation and is now at the forefront.

Every song a fucking banger

This has been one of the biggest surprises and best albums in this list so far. This is awesome stuff.

An album worth a listen. High energy and fun. Makes this project worthwhile to hit these discoveries

This was amazing from start to finish 5 stars

Kind of like santana, hip hop like a little bit.

Viva la música latina

Oh wow. I was already excited because of the obvious Nahuatl name, and then was really floored with the overall execution on display. Diverse, Rich, and Fun all in a perfect length record.

I always know when the genre on Apple Music isn't in English, that I'm in for a treat. Indeed I was today with this fun and lively album. I appreciated the diversity between the tracks as well as the energy and creativity of each song. Very enjoyable!

Wow. What a feast. A feast you can dance to. A feast that makes me want to put down all of this work I have to do, turn my back on the september morning chill, and head to L.A. to swear off winter forever... Each song has *such* a good groove, layering sounds and languages and cultures...I'm constantly being surprised by the inclusion of different instruments as these songs unfurl.... While there are a number of sounds here that have appeared in more popular music and tracks over the years, none of this feels done just for the sake of including a sound. As well, these tunes aren't overproduced. They're expertly mixed but still managed to retain the rawness of live music celebration... This kind of discovery is what participating in this 1001 albums exercise is all about... "The revolution will begin this Saturday night..."

Fuck yeah. I had to assemble this in YouTube and include live versions. This shit rocks though. Might try to pick it up on vinyl at some point. Unexpected greatness.

que divertido!

Yes please more hindi inspired music! ...correction, hindi music! Woo! How was I so wrong? Well reguardless of the origins, this rocks hard. So danceable, so aware, so activist, just wonderful!

Excellent album! Only 1 or 2 songs I didn't really care for, the rest were either fine but mostly excellent!

Really enjoyed the album. Going to need a few more listens to catch the lyrics given they're half in Spanish, but really enjoyed the 3 listens.

This was almost a five for me but there are too many tracks I don’t love. Excellent throwback for me and reminded me of some very fun concerts with friends. Love the jumble of styles and the LA-ness of it all.

Couldn't find the actual album on spotify but listened to some of their other stuff and really liked it.

Fun album, a lot to like here

Sounds like a different artist each song. Thought it was a great wee slice of fun

I love the energy of the album; seems like an extension of what Santana did with Supernatural. I also love J5 so I loved the Chali 2na song. My only complaint would be that at some point the music did get kind of formulaic/repetitive, but overall it's kind of a banger all the way through.

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Believe, Love and hope

"Street Signs" was a very cool mash-up of styles from Ozomatli. For such a diversity of sounds, they came together well. I was surprised to hear of the group's early connection to Jurassic 5, with Chali 2na and Cut Chemist being original members who came back to contribute a bit on "Street Signs." Great sound, great political messages, great positivity.

I managed to scrape together a few tracks, as the whole album is not on any streaming service accessible to me. From what I have heard, this is a very nice mixture of styles, Latin pop being predominant. I could do without the occasional Hip-Hop/Ra, but it's still quite strong in spite of that. 3.5/5

Músicas del mundo. Está bien. Un 4.

Lively fun Latin rock and roll

Mitt nya favorit band. svänger! även om det är svårt att få tag på tyvärr. men så är livet. ques que se

Had a lot of fun with this one, but some songs feel repetitive.

Fun!

Ozomatli was everywhere in LA in the early 2000s and somehow I never listened to them until now and guess what... I wish I had seen them. I must've been afraid of anything that would need thought and was looking for less chore in my music at the time. Now, all these years later when I want nothing more than to smoke a bowl, put in some earbuds and drown out the family and the kids... this hits the spot.

Oh what fun! I'm glad I had a chance to listen to this album it was really enjoyable. Fave tracks would be (Who Discovered) America?, Saturday Night, and Dejame En Paz. Cuando Canto is the perfect closer leaves you feeling relaxed afrer all the hype.

That was a trip. And Jurassic 5 is a big part of it. Wow catchy and very unique. Whole lots of genre influence

I had never heard of Ozomatli before today. But I liked what I heard. A very cool and unique blending of styles forms an enjoyable sound.

Mixture of Latin music and rap. Really fun. 4/5

Nice

Very eclectic...

This was a cool surprise, really fun Latin fusion rap rock.

A very welcome swerve from the procession of old white dudes

The English lyrics leave a little something to be desired but this is great

Really excellent.

Fun upbeat music with some variety. Most of it joyful

Great mix of world music sounds and grooves. A good choice of music to work or clean the house to.

Cool hip hop/funk/Latin fusion album. There's a lot of variation in the style of songs on this album which makes it fun to listen to

Never heard of these before, really enjoyed the album!

I liked this. Crazy eclectic sound - from Indian raga vibes to sounds approaching klezmer, and it's always a nice change to have socially and politically aware music that is largely positive and upbeat.

Started off like 70's funk, but it's a interesting mix of ragga, reggae, dub, latin, and ska. I liked it.

I really enjoyed this - I was already a fan of Chali 2na of J5 but hearing him and others over this ace Latin music was really enjoyable, and the additional African and Middle Eastern influences made it really varied and interesting. Definitely one I'll revisit.

A different vibe completely from what I listen to. Tons of fun and well worth a listen.

4, bordering a 5, really good record.