He’s traveled the world and rocked festivals and concerts with his wildly popular Los Angeles-based band Ozomatli. Now, Raul Pacheco, one of the founding members of the Grammy-winning eclectic group, is going it alone with his first solo album.
“I’m at the age where, if I don’t do this now, I might never do it. I want to delve into all the things I love musically,” said Pacheco, who is releasing his six-song solo album under the moniker Man Boy Brown early next year.
But before that the musician will perform his new music on Nov. 20 at Tropico de Nopal art gallery in Los Angeles in support of the record’s first single “Moving On,” which was just released.
“Music is a journey and I want people to come along with me,” he said.
While Ozomatli has made a name for itself for both its eclectic musical inspirations — hip-hop, funk, and rock alongside salsa, reggae, cumbia and other international influences — and its political and social activism, Pacheco’s new record offers a much different sound.
His solo album is more reflective of his past and rooted in romantic Latin ballads and Mexican corridos with more straightforward arrangements, all inspired by music he grew up listening to as a kid.
“I think there’s always this part of me that has never been showcased. If you listen to Ozomatli I’m usually the guy singing the ballads, or these slower tunes, these melodic tunes, which is definitely the tradition I come from,” said the 56-year-old singer.
“This music is me as a kid being introduced to music from my older sisters and my parents,” Pacheco added.
Pacheco considers his first single, “Moving On,” a sort of musical declaration of independence and forming his own identity.
“Sonically I think I’m referencing a ’70s kind of vibe, people like Jackson Browne, who I adore,” he said. “I think the sonic pallet is just about transcendence and feeling stuck but choosing to not stay there,” Pacheco said.
Other singles include “Dulce Cancion,” which features a bass note intro that’s reminiscent of “Stand by Me” and a bit of what Pacheco describes as a Linda Ronstadt country vibe combined with the group Trio Los Panchos.
“I remember those types of songs as a kid. There is that combination in that kind of Tex-Mex Southwest country and trio music. And I’m channeling that,” he said.
While he has no plans to leave Ozomatli, Pacheco does see a long road ahead of him as a solo artist.
“I feel like I have not peaked as a songwriter or musician and a singer,” he said. “So I have this openness in my life where I still feel young and excited,” he added.
Man Boy Brown
When: Nov. 20
Where: Tropico de Nopal, 1665 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
Information: instagram.com/tropicodenopal