IT is hard to categorise Ozomatli: the Los Angeles based 10-piece funk troupe draw on so many influences.
And the diverse nature of their music draws a diverse crowd.
It is a mixture of Latin pop, R‘n’B, funk and hip-hop – and this is shown by the fashion conscious mix of clothing and hairdos in the audience for their first British concert this year. The Islington Academy hosted this Ozo party – and it was hot, packed and up for partying.
It is best to see this band at a festival: they regularly appear at Glastonbury and Womad where their funky beats are appreciated. Concert halls seem to detract from what they are doing – there is just too much fun in their sets to put a roof over it.
But Ozo’s energy and brilliant musicianship meant the surroundings were soon forgotten. If you haven’t checked out Ozo, then you should: it’s a searing mix of horns, beats, basslines – over the top the three main singers bring rap, soul and Latino pop to the party.
Lead man and guitarist Raul Pacheco struts his tuff like a Brazilian Mick Jagger, while Asdru Sierra, who also blows a trumpet, lets his funked out tones combine with Raul’s to produce their trademark multi-layered sound.
Throw in MCs Jabu and Justin Poree, and the Academy’s guests were having the beats ladled on in fat funky dollops. And the band have proven they can do slower moments.
Although the set is a high octane mix of music that made the boys jump about and the girls wiggle their hips, such numbers as Cuando Canto, a moving Spanish number with gentle guitar licks and a sounding board to show off the band’s ability to harmonise, gave the audience room for a much needed breather.
The band have been nominated for two Latin Grammy nominations – rewards for their ability to encapsulate a Latino sensibility and pinch some hugely funky tricks from the Los Angeles hip hop scene.
On this evidence, it is the least they deserve.

20p per band for Africa

CHARITY PREVIEW - Jam By The Lock
Lock 17

Lock 17 is getting ready for a party this Sunday, September 4.
More than 20 acts are playing at the former Dingwalls club, at Camden Lock, for South African charities.
Big names including jazz singer Gwyneth Herbert, UK saxophonist Dave Chambers and Afro Blue, jazz-funkster Delrosario, DJ Eric Soul, and The Len Price Three.
At least £3,000 needs to be raised on the night for South Africa’s Tyume Valley Schools Development project.
The £4 entry works out at 20p a band.
• Jam by the Lock, 2pm to 12.30am. 020 7428 0010.

Demo of the week – The Victorian Gentlemen’s Club

I CAN picture the let’s-start-a-band moment when it all came together for the Victorian Gentlemen’s Club, the day the masterplan was inked.
Step one – Get some pals together in the clubhouse.
Step two – Muck about on some instruments and cough up some screeching, ear-splitting guitar.
Step three – Layer it all with sub-White Stripes chanting which we are all capable of after a few too many cider lollies.
It’s a simple blueprint but all VGC have to do now is sit back and wait for the comparisons with Franz Ferdinand, enjoy being credited as a free-thinking art-house band and watch their quirky tunes fly up the charts.
But if you cut through the cynicism of a Grooves reviewer that listened to his 500th Demo of the Week of the year this week – no other British local newspaper has achieved such a feat in 2005 – you will find a band that deserves a break. That screeching guitar is softened by some super garage bass and enough thudding percussion to make them realistic contenders.
Look out for The Tales of Hermit Mark, a white label seven inch out on September 12, to find the band in their best form yet. If you can’t trace it, then head to the Dublin Castle the next day (September 13) to hear them live.
It has long been the boast of this column that Grooves was banging on about Franz Ferdinand before any Capital FM listeners had heard Take Me Out. Now VGC have similar endorsement, I expect them to be headlining Glastonbury ’07. Readers can claim a refund if I’m wrong.
More information at: www.thevictorianenglishgentlemensclub.co.uk.
• Send promos to Demo of the Week, Grooves, 40 Camden Road, NW1 9DR.

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Handel for a beginner

CD REVIEW - Essential Handel
King’s Consort

I WILL never be able to hear Zadok the Priest again without thinking of a performance I heard when at a wedding in Temple Church off Fleet Street last year.
As the choir sang out the opening tumultuous words, after a deliciously long and rousing crescendo, the west doors of the church were flung open and the bride, dressed in white, came into the church.
It was like something from a film – for drama and theatricality Four Weddings and a Funeral had nothing on this.
So it is a particular pleasure to see this work on Essential Handel, a cobbled together album featuring Handel’s ‘greatest hits’, performed by the King’s Consort, conducted by Robert King and featuring some of Britain’s most celebrated singers.
It is easy to be dismissive about such a record, choosing the best bits from his oratorios and concertos, without presenting an entire work.
But such an opinion doesn’t really do justice to the record for it is hard not to enjoy the disc.
Zadok the Priest is track five, but there is also The Trumpet’s Loud Clangour, from An Ode for St Cecilia’s Day, Allegro from the Water Music, La Rejouissance from Musick for the Royal Fireworks. How anyone can turn their noses up at music like this?
As for the King’s Consort, they are excellently directed by Robert King and perform with passion and clarity. It is what you would expect with these performers. The celebrated Emma Kirkby (pictured) and countertenor James Bowman are among their number. A thoroughly enjoyable release.

Keeping it in the family

PREVIEW - Sextet
Burgh House

AFTER the summer break Burgh House is starting its autumn concert series with two events that are worth taking a detour to see.
On Friday Sextet (pictured) – an all-sibling ensemble – are performing a variety of vocal music including Cole Porter, folk, gospel, classical and even a touch of Abba.
And then on Sunday there is a recital in aid of Burgh House, with the Osaka Light Opera Company performing Japanese and European works from operas.
It is certain to be an interesting contrast and a great way to start the season.

Choir looks for new voices

APPEAL - The Camden Choir
September Rehearsals

THE Camden Choir is seeking members and this season’s rehearsals begin on Monday, September 5.
The choir was founded in 1971 and performs at St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill and St John-at-Hampstead.
This season they are to perform William Byrd’s The Great Service and if you want to join the choir see www.camdenchoir.org.uk or ring 020 7722 9937. The audition requires some sight-reading skills but it should be a rewarding few months for successful singers.

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