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Eye on Summer Music : Ojos de Brujo

10:00 H | Topics: Music

The warming weather here in New York City means more people heading out of their apartments to tune into live performances of hot music matching the heat of the sun. If their latest cd, Techari, is any indication, Ojos de Brujo (ODB) is going to be one of those bands not to miss. Their North American tour, running from June 20 to July 1, brings Barcelona, its Gitana heritage, and sound to your ears.

Recorded in Cuba, NYC, and in a studio at the foot of the Pyrenees, close to the birthplace of surrealist Salvador Dali, Techari is a distinctly modern reflection of the world today, a mestizaje of sonidos including flamenco, rumba, hip-hop with punk sensibilities.

Just as the title Techari, means free in the Gypsy dialect Calo, ODB takes us on a freewheeling musical journey with palmas and jazzy funk horns as the soundtrack. Take for example the cd’s third track, Todo Tiende, which takes traditional Spanish rhythms and throws in Bhangra beats from the Punjab region of India.

Throughout Techari, ODB shows its commitment to internationalism. The track Runali expresses a spiritual angle, sending blessings to all who listen with a clear African presence exemplified by Senegalese rap group Daara J.

Techari doesn’t shy away from politics with songs like el Confort no Reconforta, a hymn to the struggles of undocumented workers in Spain that resonates globally. Tanquillos Marineros pays tribute to revolution and revolutionaries past like Zapata and Bolivar. Piedras vs. Tanques, whose title speaks for itself was even featured on the compilation A Bush no le va a Gustar.

ODB prove that they are more than just musical artists with the inclusion of a CD-ROM containing four urban psychedelic videos, photos and the lyrics to all the songs on the CD translated into 15 languages.

Ojos de Brujo can rightfully claim the title artista in the truest sense. Techari, is a blend of historic sounds mixed with social and political realities. Techari is a must have CD and Ojos de Brujo are a band not to be passed over as a fad.

Image Via / Six Degrees Records

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