SnoCore mixes it up at Big Easy

The SnoCore Icicle Ball brought an eclectic mix of jam/electronica, alternative Latin rock and funky jazz to The Big Easy last Tuesday night. The lineup included Sound Sector Sector Nine, Ozomatli, and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. Rap group Blackalicious dropped from the bill due to medical reasons.

Many ticket holders, when hearing that Blackalicious wouldn’t be performing, attempted to unload their tickets to anyone who would take them. That may have been shortsighted because the remaining three acts were definitely worth the price of admission.

Sound Tribe Sector Nine started the show with a blend of conventional instruments playing jam-band music overlaid by a DJ spinning backbeats.

The crowd was slow to take to the dance floor at first, but they soon merged into a blend of hippie and rave culture dancing. There were no vocals but the band seamlessly flowed from one theme to another, providing an ambient soundscape that lasted until the end of their set.

The band originated in Atlanta, Ga. in 1996, but relocated to San Francisco and Santa Cruz in 2000. They got their start touring extensively in the Southwest and began to receive extensive airplay by an Atlanta – based DJ. The band later signed with Landslide Records and has released three CDs.

After STS9’s set, Ozomatli took to the stage in an explosion of Latin horn and drums. Ozomatli quickly established why they won this year’s Grammy for best Latin rock/alternative album.

The band quickly brought the crowd to its feet and wouldn’t let go. Their music consisted of a fusion between Latin rock, salsa and rap, and the lyrics alternated between Spanish and English.

Though Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe headlined the night, Ozomatli clearly stole the show.

The band is politically active and doesn’t shy away from publicly supporting social change during their shows. At one point during the set, lead singer Asdrubal Sierra called for the end of the war in Afghanistan to loud cheers from the crowd. Apparently when the music is that good, support for military aggression drops by the way side.

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe took to the stage next and changed the musical mood to a more sophisticated and jazzier mood. Denson has described himself as a jazz historian who works on developing a jazz hybrid with soul and funk influences.

The music was sophisticated and tight, with numerous sax solos by Denson. After the high energy of Ozomatli, Denson and his band offered the crowd an opportunity to cool down and relax.

The tempo did pick up a few times, when Denson pulled Ozomatli band members on stage for a little salsa flavor. Overall, however, Denson and his band provided a more cerebral experience for the audience.

The festival was described in the press kit as “the original winter lifestyle tour that features live music concert performances form some of the most credible artists today.” While the term “original winter lifestyle tour” may be subject to various interpretations, there’s no doubt that all three bands offered serious credibility.

Andy Benson

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