Album Notes

Melbourne based nine piece Latin funk sensation San Lazaro draw upon traditional salsa, bomba and rumba rhythms, fused with the urban sounds of reggae, funk and hip-hop to create some of the most diverse and uplifting party music ever to come from an Australian band. Their debut album ‘Mestizos Urbanos’ (urban people of a mixed race) is a direct reflection of the bands intention to be faithful to their roots whilst embracing their influences. They share a strong heritage in the performance of traditional styles of Latin music, which acts as a binding element used to re-enforce the youthful musical experimentation unique to San Lazaro. In essence, San Lazaro play uplifting dance music, celebratory of the good things in life whilst acknowledging and paying homage to true multiculturalism and real life issues both past and present. "Every once in a long while, a band comes that has the hybrid in music that brings people from all walks of life together. We will discover with San Lazaro that in the audience, lives blend with their music which celebrates life, and makes you move and dance." Asdru Sierra, Ozomatli. “This is the best Latin album I have heard this year. It's killer. This album often plays before we go out then when we get home, and has been the soundtrack to many wicked nights.” Felix Reibl, The Cat Empire. “When I hear San Lazaro, I become a dancing fool.” Paul Kelly (Swingo is..) "a tough, grooving piece of Afro-Latin funk from the debut album by Melbourne up and coming group of urban mestizos who - in typical Australian fashion - hail from Chilean, Spanish, Greek, Irish, Mauritian, Iranian and Indian backgrounds" Brent Clough, The Daily Planet. ABC National Radio *San Lazaro - 2007 WOMADdelaide performance.* 'Fellow Melbourners San Lazaro were also amazingly impressive first up on Sunday, with their blend of Cuban rhythms, cumbia, salsa, and small hints of blues and reggae. Fans of Ozomatli will definitely get a kick out of these guys! Again I found myself dancing non-stop, and I can't wait to see them again, hopefully very soon!' Luke Balzan Global Beats Rip It Up Magazine