The great Latin hip-hop band Ozomatli first toured Australia in January 2000, appearing at the Bacardi Festival de Cuba (as it was known then), both the Sydney and Melbourne Big Day Outs, and Perth's International Festival of the Arts.

Australian crowds were blown away by the energetic live performances from the melting pot of people (four Mexican-Americans, one Japanese-American, one Jewish guy, two black guys and two white dudes) in the Los Angeles-based band. The fusion of modern hip-hop music and traditional Latin American sounds struck a chord with Aussie audiences when witnessed onstage. Or
offstage, for that matter! Ozomatli's trademark foray into the crowd after every performance is an essential ingredient of their ongoing popularity as a live act. Sadly for the band, this popularity has not translated into album sales, as both of their fine albums have been commercially unappreciated.

After six subsequent Australian visits in the past four years it is fair to say that Ozomatli have become the most frequently toured international band to Australian shores. Ozo have become festival darlings to organisers of annual events such as East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Byron Bay and the Falls Festivals in Lorne VIC and this year's inaugural Falls Festival in Tasmania, and even a winery in Western Australia. The reason Ozomatli are such a coveted concert attraction is patently clear - everybody has a great
time! Carlos Santana employs Ozomatli annually as a support act to warm up the crowds for exactly the same reason

It's not that the punters at an Ozo gig in Australia are familiar with the rhythms of salsa, Mexican rancheras & cumbias, Dominican meringue, Brazilian samba or Uruguayan candombe that the band use to such telling effect. Ozomatli are essentially a great hip-hop band with Latin roots and that's the simple equation that Aussie punters relate to. Just jump up and down and have a great time.

And they did! Again! (Reviewed by Martin Delcanho)