Fun fact: even though Manu Chao sings predominantly in Spanish and plays Latin-style music, he was born and (afaik) lived most of his life in Paris.
Also, I’m not versed in Spanish/Latin-American music genres, so idk what this music is exactly. I’d guess that it’s influenced by contemporary French music, too.
If you like this but maybe find it a bit overplayed/mainstream (which it definitely is in some parts of the world), I highly recommend the radio Bemba sound system live album, same vibes, even some covers of his famous songs but played by a big band on a charity tour. The vibes are off the charts on it.
Huh, I always thought that ‘Radio Bemba’ had something to do with Mano Negra (his previous band), especially since some of the songs were recorded by that band originally. Never thought to read up on it.
Also didn’t know that this album is considered overplayed anywhere, as I’m not in those parts myself. =)
Is that in France?Yeah the “manu-chao multiverse” gets kinda complicated since he carried a lot of the work through all the different bands and his solo work as well. I also love listening to the OG Mano Negra stuff (soledad is a personal favourite, also ronde de nuit).
And yeah I’m French and the solo stuff was definitely overplayed there on the radio, TV etc.
great album
His parents escaped from Franco’s dictatorship into Paris, that’s why he lived so long there. His family is from Galicia and the Basque Country, hence why he sings in Spanish.
Yeah, to my understanding he tried to move his previous band Mano Negra to Madrid, but that was shortly before it broke up for good — and with this solo album he finished production in Paris again.
My understanding is that I read part of his Wikipedia page so you are probably more informed than me haha
Perhaps only in that I’ve read slightly further.
