Ozmatli @ The Arches

Ozomatli continues to exclude nothing: whether pastiches of 1970s' soul, the hokey-cokey, thunderous percussion or a trombone solo based on Lily Allen's Smile, everything is co-opted into their relentless celebration. They hit the Latino sound so hard that it splits, revealing its psychedelic Moroccan roots. Then they have a front-line of trumpet, trombone and saxophone - three instruments versatile enough to switch easily between jazz, soul, ska and raging sonic assaults. Four vocalists - including two rappers - keep the energy seething and swaying. Perhaps most importantly, the three percussionists flick between hip-hop, reggae and whatever other deep, lush beats are needed to hold together the wild improvisation. Ozomatli are politicians of ecstasy, tricking the crowd into sheer delight with formation dances, blistering solos, chant-alongs and crowd surfing. They lead a conga around the Arches for their encore. Merging hip-hop without the machismo and dance without the techno, Ozomatli are an unfashionable, yet utterly essential, triumph of joy. [Gareth K Vile]