The Fixx and Ozomatli

Originally formed by vocalist and keyboard player Cy Curnin and drummer Adam Woods during their time in college, following a successful advertisement, they later invited guitarist Jamie West-Oram, keyboardist Rupert Greenall, and bassist Charlie Barret to complete the lineup. Initially under the moniker the Portraits, the group made their recording debut on the single “Hazards in the Home” released by Ariola Records. Despite garnering little attention, the group ploughed on, changing their name to the Fixx and recording the single “Lost Planes”.

The Fixx subsequently inked a deal with MCA Records who issued the band’s debut full-length “Shuttered Room” in 1982. Spawning the modest UK hits “Stand or Fall” and “Red Skies” the album epitomised the burgeoning new wave scene, however failed to make any impact in the U.S. Following the release bassist Barret was replaced by Dan K. Brown, who appeared on the group’s sophomore release “Reach the Beach” in 1983. Aided by the groove-producing single “One Thing Leads to Another”, the album reached the Top 10 on the Billboard 200, catapulting the Fixx to U.S. notoriety. Subsequent singles “Saved by Zero” and “Sign of Fire” further augmented this success, paving the way for the group’s third album.

The full-length “Phantoms” arrived in 1984, which despite charting and selling well failed to live up to the success of its predecessor. Maintaining the same synth-inspired formula, the band’s third fourth studio album “Walkabout” was released in 1986. Earning favourable reviews from the critical press, the album’s lead single “Secret Separation” topped the Billboard Album Rock Tracks upon release. The record would prove to be the last with producer Rupert Hine, after which William Wittman was enlisted to infuse a more guitar-driven sound.

“Calm Animals”, the group’s fifth album, was released in 1988, once again spawning a U.S. hit single, “Driven Out”. Featuring the No. 35 single “How Much Is Enough?” the Fixx’s subsequent album “Ink” was issued by MCA in 1991. Following the release Dan K. Brown left the group and was never officially replaced. In the run-up to the new millennium the band issued “Elemental” in 1998 and “1011 Woodland” in 1999, the latter of which was mainly an acoustic album with renditions of previous singles. In 2003, with former Adam and the Ants bassist Gary Tibbs, the Fixx issued their ninth studio album “Want That Life”, followed by “Beautiful Friction” in 2012.

The band Ozomatli met while attempting to create a worker's union in Los Angeles, the union failed to attract recognition however gave them an abandoned building to use for a month. The building was transformed into a cultural arts centre through which Ozomatli came into fruition. The name Ozomatli is derived after the Nahuatl word for the Aztec astrological symbol of the monkey, the god of dance, fire and music.

After initial line-up changes Ozomatli eventually consisted of Raúl “El Bully” Pacheco, Ulises Bella, Jiro Yamaguchi, Cut Chemist, Chali 2na, Wil-Dog Abers, Mairo Calire, Rene “Spinobi” Dominguez, Justin “Niño” Porée, Asdrubal Sierra, and Jabu. Following a host of performances in the local club scene and an appearance on the late night talk show “Vibe!”, Ozomatli released their eponymously-titled debut album to mainstream success. Released June 16, 1998 the album reached No. 7 on the Billboard Latin Albums chart, stayed in the chart for 71 weeks and led to the band being invited on tour with guitarist Carlos Santana in 1999.

In 2001 Ozomatli released their sophomore album “Embrace the Chaos” which shot straight to No. 1 in the Billboard Latin Album chart and the Billboard Latin Pop Album chart. The band won a Grammy for the Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album and became noted for their commitment to social justice and the rising anti-war movement. In 2003 came a 6-track EP titled “Coming Up” which featured the rap vocals of Kanetic Source on the single “Cumbia De Los Muertos”.

Ozomatli won two Grammys for their 2004 album “Street Signs” one for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album and one for Best Alternative Music Album and well as receiving significant critical acclaim. Its follow-up the 2006 “Don’t Mess With the Dragon” featured the singles “After Party”, “When I Close My Eyes” and “La Segunda Mano”. The released marked significant line-up changes for the band with DJ Spinobi and MC Jabu departing on amicable terms.

The group then served as Cultural Ambassadors to the U.S. and embarked on a number of government-sponsored tours, they created a song for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, and performed with a host of orchestras across the States. Ozomatli has subsequently released the albums “Fire Away” in 2010, the child friendly “Ozomatli Presents Ozokidz” in 2012 and “Place in the Sun” in 2014.