The six-piece band Ozomatli has announced a new studio album, March On, that is set to release this summer. While fans wait for the official album release, Ozomatli has shared their new single, “Sunsets”. They have also revealed their Summer 2022 tour dates.
Known for their diverse range of musical styles, the two-time Grammy Award-winning band Ozomatli is releasing their first studio album since their 2017 reggae-filled studio album Non-Stop: Mexico to Jamaica. The album also marks the band’s debut with their new label, Blue Élan Records. Their new single, “Sunsets”, has a reggae vibe that will make listeners imagine themselves on a beautiful island watching the sunset. It’s certainly a song that will be perfect for summer nights. Lead vocalist and guitarist Raul Pacheco says, “‘Sunsets’ is about the city of LA, traveling from the east side to the beach and all of those special moments in between. We wish they could last forever but even beautiful sunsets have to end sometime.” He further explained, “The inspiration came from the ending of beautiful things, sometimes it’s relationships, sometimes it’s important parts of your life. When you’re looking at a sunset, it’s just for a moment–you really have just a few minutes to capture this image because then it’s gone.” Listen to the island swaying track below.
March On was produced by David Garza. Most of the basic tracks were all completed at Sonic Ranch, but because of the pandemic, other parts of the record were finished remotely. However, just like their live performances in 2020, they found a way to make it work. The album contains 11 songs that blend each of the members’ influences and ideas. As founding members Jiro Yamaguchi and Eli explained, “You drive down Sunset Boulevard and turn off your stereo and roll down your windows and all the music that comes out of each and every different car, whether it’s salsa, cumbia, merengue, Hip Hop, funk or whatever, it’s that crazy blend that’s going on between that cacophony of sound is Ozomatli, y’know?”
Ozomatli on tour
5/15 – Redondo Beach, CA – BeachLife Festival
5/16 – Los Angeles, CA – The Venice West (BeachLife afterparty)
5/22 – Los Angeles, CA – Getty 25 Celebrates Lincoln Heights/East L.A.
5/29 – Taos, New Mexico – Kit Carson Park
5/30 – Pelham, TN – Dia de Los Muertos in the Caverns (A PBS Television Event – with Los Lobos)
6/17 – Menlo Park, CA – The Guild Theatre
6/18 – Mammoth Lakes, CA – The Village at Mammoth
6/19 – Ukiah, CA – Todd Grove Park (Sundays in the Park)
6/23 – Fullerton, CA – Craig Regional Park (OC Parks Summer Concert Series)
7/16 – Ventura , CA – Ventura Pier (Surf Rodeo)
7/28 – Ridgway, CO – Hartwell Park
7/29 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s
7/31 – Carbondale, CO – Sopris Park (Carbondale Mountain Fair)
9/02 – Silverthorne, CO – Rainbow Park
9/15 – Long Beach, CA – The Old School Cruise
9/16 – Long Beach, CA – The Old School Cruise
9/17 – Long Beach, CA – The Old School Cruise
9/18 – Long Beach, CA – The Old School Cruise