kinky and ozomatli by cory casciato
The Metropolitan
kinky and ozomatli by cory casciato hot item!
America is a country of diversity and multicultural wealth, where people of all races and cultures live, work and play. But, you'd never know it from listening to the radio.
The cultural identity of pop music is rigidly, almost unfailingly, Anglo-American. English language singers and rappers are so ubiquitous it would be easy to conclude that it's the only language spoken on the planet. Artists from outside the U.S. or U.K. are so rare they should be collectible. Judging from what's played on the radio and MTV, no one could be blamed for assuming that these are the only two countries on the globe that even have pop music.
But they're not.
With literally a world of influence to draw from, you'd think popular music in a country as diverse as ours would display a wider range of influences. Sure, rock, jazz and hip-hop all share common roots in African music, but these have been thoroughly integrated and Americanized, tempered by Western musical traditions and stripped of any sort of cultural context.
A few artists, such as David Byrne, have integrated elements of "world music" into their repertoire. Once every generation or so, someone like Bob Marley will break through and make Americans aware that the world is a slightly larger place than they'd previously imagined. Still, artists like these are the exception to the rule, rare spices in an otherwise uniform and all too frequently bland diet.
That's why it is so refreshing to see artists from outside the Anglo-American pop hegemony appear on the scene and achieve some measure of success. On Aug. 29, Denver will get a chance to sample something spicier than the usual fare when Ozomatli and Kinky play the Paramount Theatre.
Hailing from Monterrey, Mexico, Kinky fuses its Latin roots with rock and electronica to synthesize a uniquely appealing hybrid style. Driving, funky beats with a pronounced Latin influence are mixed up with fuzzed-out guitars and squiggly, vintage sounding, acid synth lines.
Vocals are a mixture of Spanish and English but they take a back seat to the groove, leaving everyone free to enjoy the music, even if their knowledge of Spanish is limited to the Taco Bell menu. The end result is appealing, accessible and irresistibly funky.
Ozomatli are from Los Angeles, but musically, they're all over the map in the best possible way. Described on their Web site as "Afro-Latin-and-beyond style-mashers," they take the best elements of diverse musical traditions and use them to forge a fearless and exciting sound that defies easy categorization.
A synthesis of Latin and hip-hop styles comprise the basic sound but it doesn't stop there by a long shot. On their latest album, Street Signs, collaborations with a jazz pianist, a Moroccan sintir player, and the Prague Symphony were featured.
Such a diverse blend might seem a challenging listen-and it can be-but make no mistake: Ozomatli know how to rock a dance floor, and anyone that can't find something to groove to is surely lacking the essential funk gene.
Take a break from the overly familiar flavor of the month and try something different. Your ears will thank you for it.
Kinky and Ozomatli embrace the world 7 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $29. More info at www.ticketmaster.com
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