Ozomatli

This melting pot of musicians has been jamming for more than a decade. Their infusion of hip-hop, ranchero, reggae, salsa and funk allow this band to appeal to people around the world regardless of their music taste.

The Sound

Band members describe their music as when you "roll down your windows and the music that comes out of each and every different car... that crazy blend that's going on between that cacophony of sound is Ozomatli, y'know."

Pronounced "oh-so-motley." the band takes its name from the Aztec monkey servant to the god of music and dance. The band certainly lives up to the name with vocals, emcees, turntables and a horn section. It's like they have all the great parts from several musical styles.

Best of all, they've got plenty of songs in English too. This makes Ozomatli one of the best bands for non-native Spanish speakers to listen to when learning the language. Try it!

The Lineup

There are six key members to the band, but there have been up to 10 at one point. There have been more lineup changes in Ozomatli than the 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates. Two notable alumni include rapper Chalie 2na and DJ Cut Chemist, who both left the group to focus efforts on the west coast cult classic Jurassic 5.

A revolving door of band mates has not stopped this group from producing solid albums. Even though Embrace the Chaos hit stores on September 11, 2001, it still won a Grammy for Best Latin/Alternative Album. The band repeated the feat a few years later with their 2005 release Street Signs.

Appearances

This California-based ensemble has performed all over the world. Stateside, they have played Bonnaroo, Coachella and South by Southwest a few times. No stranger to political activism in their music, the band rocked a protest outside the 2000 Democratic National Convention with Rage Against the Machine.

They've also made it into the pop scene. Ozomatli jams "Cumbia de los Muertos" in Drew Barrymore's Never Been Kissed. If you're a fan of Showtime's "Weeds" you might have heard Ozomatli's version of the show's "Little Boxes" theme song. They even wowed the studio audience and viewers at home on "Dancing with the Stars."

Next week will be a closer look at Ozomatli's albums and all the music styles they embrace. Until then, look it up on your own, lazybutt!

-DJ Gringuito

Daddy el Conquistador

Daddy Yankee wants more. The man has already conquered Latin America and the United States, but that's not enough for him.

According to Univision, the Puerto Rican reggaetonero is ready to take over Europe and Asia. The report says that "the planets are aligning for something big this year." Daddy Yankee has already toured a little around Europe, but now he's ready to have a firm presence in the continent.

Meanwhile, Yankee has been busy in Haiti. No, he's not producing a Spanish-language version of "We Are the World." He's actually helping the Red Cross to rebuild schools. This is the best news to come from the Daddy Yankee camp since his endorsement of John McCain for President. Oh, you didn't know? Well have a laugh.

Here's hoping he avoids Parliament,

DJ Grnguito

Baionarena!

I will admit that I have never seen Manu Chao perform live in concert. Until I'm lucky enough to do so, I'll have to settle for Baionarena. And that's fine with me.

This live CD/DVD combo is incredible! Released at the end of December '09, it didn't make its way onto my iPod until this past winter season. How did so much time pass before I found this?!?

Regardless of how long it took me to find this Holy Grail of live Manu Chao, I've already played it enough to make up for lost time. The album was recorded at a sold-out arena in Bayonne, France, and it perfectly captures and the fun-loving, crowd-pleasing, language-mixing style of Manu.

If you're still unaffected by this Manu Chao nonsense that I'm always writing about, check out these clips from the DVD. The man is an entertainer unbound by nationalities and ethnicities.

1. Panik Panik & El Hoyo

2. Mr. Bobby

3. Clandestino

Paz y Amor,

DJ Gringuito

Shameless Self Promotion!

Oye! Radio Chevere is setting a course for the vast sea of social media. So hop on board and help out, because I can't just rely on the motion of the ocean.

I've created a Twitter account. Initially, all the tweets will be reposts of older blog entries. But once everything is all caught up, I'll be tweeting my canción del día (song of the day).

There is also an idea in the works to branch out to the greater Athens community. Until then, tell anybody who cares about Spanish, music, Spanish music or who is simply desperate for another follower on Twitter.

Soy emocionado!

DJ Gringuito

RIP Sandro de America

There is sad news from the Spanish music community. Sandro de America, the Argentine Elvis, is dead at the age of 64. Just over a week ago, the first man to break Spanish music into the U.S. pop scene died from complications after surgery.

I found his obituary while browsing the web for story ideas for my foreign correspondence class. Once I saw it, I knew this was perfect for Radio Chevere. The man embodied chevere, but until last week I had no idea who he was. Allow me to share...

Born Roberto Sanchez, Sandro began his music career with Los de Fuego in the 1960s. After taking over as frontman, Sandro and his Elvis-like swivel and charm made him a superstar.

By 1970, this Argentine rock 'n' roll legend had filled Madison Square Garden five times. One of the performances was the first concert ever to be broadcast via satellite. Obviously, the transmission was sent back to Argentina.

Just like his North American doppelganger, Sandro used his stardom to make a presence on the silver screen. The roles weren't award-winning, but that didn't turn away his worshipping fans.

Upon word of his Sandro's death, fans took to the streets mourning the loss together. Here's a look at some of the photos from his funeral service attended by tens of thousands:

Roberto "Sandro" Sanchez: August 19, 1945 - January 4, 2010

Duerme con angeles,

DJ Gringuito

El Regreso

Radio Chevere is back! After a 7-week hiatus, it's time for more of the Spanish music culture that you've missed so much. Before any candid anecdotes are told or informative posts are written, I want to say a few words.

I've covered plenty of artists since starting this blog, but I've neglected the fans. Sure, I'm a fan of all the Spanish-speaking world has to offer. It might seem that I'm writing about a culture completely disconnected from Southeastern Ohio, but that's not true. So expect an occasional interview a with Spanish music fan.

Next up is... well, that's it actually. I hope that reading about someone else's experience with Spanish music will spark an interest of your own. But I'll stop babbling because there are still several music styles and hundreds of artists to cover.

Good to be back,

DJ Gringuito

Ferrer en Fuego

Ibrahim Ferrer

Like his hermano en musica Compay Segundo, Ferrer was born and raised in Cuba. This Afro-Cuban singer began crooning around the island to make money at an early age. With decades of practice singing traditional Cuban music, Ferrer had no trouble finding work in post-revolutionary Cuba.

The Afro-Cuban All Stars picked up Ferrer in 1996 to sing on their Grammy nominated album A Toda Cuba le Gusta. He sang a variety of songs like "Amor Verdadero" and "Pio Mentiroso," a track fronted by the late Pio Leyva, who would later reunite with his fellow Cuban Ferrer in Buena Vista Social Club.

Buena Vista Bolero

With the Cuban supergroup Buena Vista Social Club, Ferrer sang "Y Tu Has Hecho," a duet with Compay Segundo. But the one type of song that Ferrer enjoyed singing more than any other was the slow and sultry bolero. He finally had the opportunity with Buena Vista Social Club track "Dos Gardenias," and Ferrer sings it con todo su alma.

Grammys

After Buena Vista Social Club showed the beauty of Cuban music to the world, Ferrer began some solo work. His 1998 debut Tierra Caliente earned the 71-year-old vocalist a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist!

Ferrer continued to woo critics with his smooth voice. He won a Grammy in 2004, but was not able to accept it. The 76-year-old's attendance had nothing to do with his age. Instead, the U.S. government would not allow Ferrer into the U.S. because he was considered a security threat. Ay caray!

Collaborations

Before this humble Cuban was banned from the United States, he worked with some musicians across the pond. But what English acts would want a traditional Cuban singer on their track? Easy -- the Gorillaz. The mysterious, two-dimensional artists included Ferrer on their song "Latin Simone."

He later added his voice to the collaborative album Rhythms del Mundo: Cuba. His recording of "As Time Goes By" joins the likes of Quincy Jones, Kaiser Chiefs and Coldplay. Not bad for a guy who sang on the streets of pre-revolutionary Cuba for money.

Tracks

Ferrer's last album, Mi Sueño, was a posthumous release and a tribute to the bolero. If boleros aren't your style, then check out these tunes instead.

1. "La Musica Cubana"

2. "Boliviana"

3. "Marieta"

Gracias, Buena Vista Social Club

This concludes my overview on the band that reintroduced traditional Cuban music to the world. The band is full of talented musicians, and I apologize for only writing about two of them. I briefly mentioned Pio Leyva and never acknowledged Eliades Ochoa's guitarra. Before I return to these greats, feel free to check them out on your own.