West 8 Five CD & Show with Ozomatli

Earlier this month West 8 Five released their debut album "Life if Good" We did a great show in Coda's in NYC, which was packed packed. Over 400 people showed up and the place holds 250.

Our music is Latin Pop... some sublime, some Juanes, some Bacilos, etc. You can hear the music soon at www.west8five.com but the site is under construction so in the meantime check us out at www.myspace.com/west8five

As far as the record goes I have to say that it sounds fantastic. The production work on it is amazing. Leo Mellace, Steve Catizone produced it and was engineered by the coolest cat Jeff Yurek at Sanctum Sound. My former teacher Eguie Castrillo did the entire percussion on it, and as usual his performance was excelent. I feel honored to be in the same record as him. I only recorded congas on one track (Not Again) and all the percussion on another (I'll rise). This record will soon be available for purchase online.

Last week we were invited to open up for Ozomatli, one of the coolest bands out there and I have to say I was blown away by them and their talent. The show was held at Breckenridge, Colorado and the show was pretty cool. I wanna take this oportunity to thank Adam, Felipe and Jeremy on the good times and hospitality. Special congratulations to Jeremy and his beautiful new wife Nicole who tied the knot the day before.

I hung out backstage when Ozomatli performed and I have to say these guys kicked some serious ass. I hand't heard much of their stuff but I now know I should've cuz it's amazing. They are all multi-instrumentalists... 10 guys and they sound as tight as any salsa orchestra. Shout out to Will dog (bass) and Mario (drums) who where the coolest guys and are some serious serious musicians.Not only that, but they invited me onstage for the last song and got to play some percussion with them! that was fantastic to say the least.

This trip to Colorado was incredible and it was topped with recording drums out in Thornton for my great friend and one of my favorite guitar players ever Fernando Curiel! I will give you more details soon!

Peace

Life Shaping Album # 7 Homogenic - Bjork

Bjork... without a doubt one of the most meaningful artists in the past century. I can remember watching Bjork for the very first time about 10 years ago when her video for the song Human Behaviour, off the record Debut, popped up on MTV. There was something about the music and her in general that I enjoyed even though I didn't go buy the record the next day.
She seems to have some of the most loyal fans. I would go as far as saying that real Bjork fans are as devoted ,if not more, as any Radiohead, Pantera, Metallica, Dream Theater or U2 fan. Her music reaches to the very depths of human emotions with her lyrics, but most of the time with the way she sings what she sings.

At college many people kept talking about her, until my friend, who I haven't seen since i helped him pack his U-haul truck via LA, Josh Liebowitz, played me her Homogenic record. My jaw dropped from the very first song and when I got to the 3rd one, called Unravel is swear my eyes watered and I felt like the most complete person in the world for a second, I don't know to explain it at all... I know it sounds weird, but the satisfaction I got from listening to it, and what I currently feel when I hear it is not only musical, it's something beyond that few records have managed to create in me.

Sonically it's unbelievable, and i really like how in songs like joga and unravel there are extra bars here and there, making odd time signatures in a way...

Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of hearing her live but I hope that changes very soon!


"While you are away my heart comes undone"