The rest of the album is just as eclectic, bouncing from traditional Latin rhythms (I'm a big fan of Latin American music, but I can't yet reliably tell a guaguanco from salsa, but you probably can't either, so it doesn't matter) to rock, hip-hop, and dancehall, often at the same time like fifty different radios tuned to fifty different stations at once. The press release makes reference to "Chicano funk-rock" and "urban globe-trots," and for once the hype actually reflects what's on record. Street Signs deserves to be a street-level hit from Sacramento to Soweto.

Although it took me five or six listens to figure Street Signs out and decide whether I like it, since that time I haven't gone through a day in two weeks without getting something of theirs lodged in my head. (I also suspect the record makes for outstanding driving music, although my shoddily-manufactured review copy won't play in my car.) Ozomatli even proved to be the cure for the dreaded Disney virus, in which "It's A Small World" runs around and around in my head until it hurts. Usually only Frank Zappa does the trick, but sometimes old Frank goes down a little rough and it's nice to have a more pleasant and party-friendly alternative for kicking the Mouse 'n' friends to the mental curb.

Lyrically, Ozomatli toe the generic leftist-platitude line, but not so much that it's irritating or off-putting. If the Spanish-language lyrics are a little trite, and the English-language lyrics a little overdone, it's not a big deal; not everyone needs to be Elvis Costello and rhyme "lie here mopin'" with "shellac of Chopin." Ozomatli pride themselves on their commitment to social consciousness and political awareness, and the group at least has the good taste and common sense to make their slogans thoughtful, uplifting, and singable.

Ozomatli are legendary in some circles for their terrific live shows, and that energy is hinted at on album. Sometimes the hinting is all we get, as bright production, up-and-down playing, and heaps of multitracking sterilize a little of the funk growing in the grooves. Nevertheless, Street Signs is an infectious, masterful, thoughtful, deep and eclectic party album from a band who have exceeded their already high expectations.

Look for Ozomatli on tour throughout August accompanied by Plastalina Mosh, Kinky, and Del Castillo as well as organizations like Rock the Vote, Refuse and Resist, Move On, Amnesty International, Not in Our Name and Code Pink.

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