Don't Mess With the Dragon

Ozo’s vigorous live performances have reached near-legendary status; it’s difficult to sit passively and watch when, horns blaring and drums beating, the L.A. collective traipses through the crowd — after they’ve already delivered a couple of hours of infectious party grooves. Translating that energy to the recording studio, however, is an unenviable task, and that Ozomatli comes even close to achieving that goal is worth appreciating. “City of Angels,” for one, is a propulsive blend of hip-hop, R&B, and hard rock that finds them at their most potent. The fiery “La Gallina” and frenetic “La Temperatura” lean heavily on their salsa roots while “Magnolia Soul” is a prime slab of New Orleans-style funk, complete with a second-line-rhythm break. “Creo” showcases their peerless fusion of Latin rhythms, reggae vibes, and hip-hop attitude. Ozomatli is at its best when it stays away from more conventional pop and rock sounds — although conventionality, for this trailblazing bunch, could be considered a form of “branching out” — and a few of the tracks don’t quite capture the band’s spark, but at very least, some of the more robust songs here will be welcome additions to the live repertoire.