Downtown

Released during Ozomatli’s 15th anniversary year, Fire Away is, on the surface, an uproarious and celebratory album. The riot is goin’ on early ( “Are You Ready?” ) and late ( “Nadas Por Free,” “Malagasy Shock” ), with a nod to the sugary R&B past ( “45” ), and often with serious post-retro modern funk ( “Elysian Persuasion” ) – as well it should be for these multi-cultural musicians with a flair for passionate party-yo-ass-off tunes. But there is more going on under the surface. Reflections of some lost ideal ( “It’s Only Paper” ) and paradise ( “It’s Only Time” ) ripple from far below, but it is the surreal ambience, echoed from a distant majestic epiphany on “Love Comes Down” that illuminates this brief journey through an Ozomatli fantasia of many colors, textures, and, yes, groove totems.