Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 | 9:06 a.m.
Some of the world's best music isn't sung in English, and that means most Americans never give it a chance.
Ulises Bella, who plays saxophone and clarinet for Ozomatli, has discovered a difference during the Los Angeles-based groove band's world travels.
"For example, when we play in Japan, it doesn't matter what (language) we're singing in, people are grooving hard and getting into the music really heavily," Bella said during a phone interview while driving in Los Angeles.
"They're not letting the language barrier affect them. Whether or not it's ever going to be like that here remains to be seen."
A fair number of Ozomatli's songs feature Spanish lyrics, a tribute to the Mexican heritage of more than half of the collective's 10 full-time members.
The group winds up its latest U.S. tour Saturday night at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the all-ages show. Tickets are $22.50 in advance and $25 on Saturday.
Opening for Ozomatli is Kinky, an outfit hailing from Monterrey, Mexico, which also sings a good portion of its lyrics in Spanish.
Together the two bands are helping to change Americans' preconceptions about music sung in other languages.
"There's a lot of music in this world, and I listen to a lot of music even if I don't understand a word they're saying," Bella, 29, said. "It's about the melodies, about what moves you.
"Grooving to music you don't understand isn't that strange, and I think slowly, that's been going on here in the States. Whether or not it's going to take hold as much as in other countries remains to be seen."
Just because Ozomatli albums include a few Spanish titles, however, don't try classifying them as a Latin-rock band.
That would be an inaccurate way to describe an ensemble that also incorporates jazz, funk, pop, rock and world music sounds in its eclectic mix. Not to mention Ozomatli's hip-hop side, led by MC Jabu and DJ Rene "Spinobi" Dominguez.
"We're real weird," Bella said. "I think we're a people's band. We're a roots band ... Everybody has their own definition of us, and all of them are true and none of them are true at the same time (laughs)."
In the nine years since forming, Ozomatli has also shown a willingness to court any fans who would listen, even participating in the punk-oriented Vans Warped Tour.
"We've never really monopolized any one particular scene," Bella said. "If there was an opening on a punk tour, we would do it. If there was a reggae show, we would do it. I think it's because of this kind of philosophy that we've been able to gain a real eclectic audience."
Ozomatli, which released its third album, "Street Signs," in June, also remains dedicated to the social activism that initially brought its musicians together.
Originally the group was conceived as a way to raise money for a youth community center in Los Angeles. Eventually that evolved into a long-term project that continues to provide its members with a voice, one they take care not to abuse.
"We try not to be too dogmatic onstage, too preachy," Bella said. "We're not talking about something between every song. We wait for our moment, let people have a really good time, and then drop a little positive message in there."
And while many musicians on the scene today speak of voter registration, Bella tries to encourage something more.
"I'll never discourage voting, but at the same time I feel that voting is only the first step in being politically active and socially aware," he said.
"Making a change in this world takes communicating, it takes organizing, it takes being unified. Because society is going to transform regardless. It's just whether or not you want to have a say in it."
Music notes
Once in a Lifetime: When David Byrne returned for an encore Tuesday night at the House of Blues, he had a special guest at his side: Hilly Kristal, founder of legendary New York City nightclub CBGB's.
Kristal is credited with helping jump-start the careers of such early American punk pioneers as the Ramones, Patti Smith, Blondie and Byrne's Talking Heads.
But apparently, Tuesday's reunion was unplanned. Byrne announced that he'd spotted Kristal in the audience, much to his surprise, and brought him onstage to the cheers of the respectful crowd.
It was a fitting capper to a night that saw Byrne dig out several classics from the Heads' heyday, including "Psycho Killer," "Once in a Lifetime" and "Life During Wartime."
A six-piece string section also recharged such favorites as "I Zimbra," "This Must Be the Place" (Naive Melody)" and "Blind," along with tunes from the many phases of Byrne's underrated solo career.
Noble endeavor: Graham Nash will sign copies of his new book of photography, "Eye to Eye," and give a short photo lecture at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble at 8915 W. Charleston Blvd.
Nash is scheduled to play The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel two nights later, with Crosby, Stills & Nash, on Sept. 10.
Joint ventures: Speaking of the Hard Rock, The Joint's concert calendar has looked a bit barren lately. After CSN the club offers Motorhead Sept. 15 and Norah Jones Oct. 4-5 -- and that's it.
At least, that was it. Industry sources confirm the Hard Rock has booked at least three more upcoming dates: Kid Rock on Oct. 8, Morrissey on Nov. 6 and Velvet Revolver on New Year's Eve. Look for several other bills to be announced soon.
Philharmonic convergence: Classical station KCNV 89.7-FM has begun broadcasting archived performances by the Las Vegas Philharmonic at 9 p.m. every Thursday.
Concerts continue through Sept. 30. For more information, including details on each concert, visit www.classical897.org.
On sale
The Deftones play the House of Blues on Oct. 3. Tickets are $27.50 and are on sale now at the House of Blues box office, at TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.
Jerry Lee Lewis teams with Bill Halley's Original Comets for an Oct. 30 House of Blues show. Tickets are $35-$55 and are on sale now.
Hanson stops at the House of Blues with Tyler Hilton on Oct. 2. Tickets are $27 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through the House of Blues box office and TicketMaster.
Anthony Hamilton and Angie Stone share an Oct. 16 bill at the House of Blues. Tickets are $30-$35 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through the House of Blues box office and TicketMaster.
De La Soul performs at the House of Blues on Oct. 10. Tickets are $25 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday through the House of Blues box office and TicketMaster.
Tickets are on sale now to three other recent additions to the House of Blues concert calendar: GWAR with Six on Oct. 10 ($15), Skinny Puppy on Oct. 15 ($22-$27) and Lamb of God on Oct. 31 ($20-$22.50).
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