Ozomatli’s new album is bristling with energy. Lively horns, congos, steel drums and other Latin percussion pulsate throughout every track. Ozomatli is able to incorporate a vast number of genres into their music, including rock, hip-hop, salsa and funk. They are able to meld these into a cohesive sound that is both engaging and highly danceable. Even though the album has a few songs that are a bit weaker, “Don’t Mess with the Dragon” has many high points.

One of the highlights is “Magnolia Soul,” an explicitly political song. Like many of Ozomatli’s songs it addresses politics and inequality in a direct manner. However, you almost forget the political implications of the song because the musical underpinnings are so engaging. The climax of the song features a horn break highlighted by a soaring trumpet line but the song’s lyrics seem to ignore the musical cues. “Heard W/Don’t care about them …Light little hurricane/They blew the deal when they didn’t do a thing.” Ozomatli’s ability to meld a political message and an awesome dance song is particularly impressive. Another song that is able to do this is “La Tempertura,” a pulsating track that is a tribute to the immigrant marches in Los Angeles in 2006.

Even though many of their songs have a political bent, one of Ozomatli’s defining qualities is that they are a fantastic dance band. Each of their songs is designed to make hips shake and bodies move. The title track has the group repeatedly chanting the chorus as they are accompanied by a slew of percussion and horns. “Can’t Stop” opens the album by combining a positive message with an energetic and memorable chorus. As the band sings, “We got faith in what love can do/Don’t look back we’re gonna make it through.” This song is a fantastic opener, and sets a benchmark that the rest of the album mostly reaches.

Even though “Don’t Mess With the Dragon” is largely a success, there are a few individual songs that are not particularly strong or original. “When I Close My Eyes” lacks some of the vibrancy present throughout the rest of the album. Also, “Here We Go” is not a very distinct song. These songs do not greatly detract from the appeal of the work as a whole, however.

All told, Ozomatli’s “Don’t Mess With the Dragon” is a fantastic mixture of rock, salsa, funk and hip-hop. A majority of the tracks are full of energy, and are highly rhythmic.

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