Clandestino - Manu Chao

Advantages: Has English, French, Russian and Spanish if you like languages
Disadvantages: None

I brought this album after repeated exposure from a musician friend of mine from Switzerland. At first I thought that this was an obscure album as he has some very unusual bands in his CD collection. Actually Manu Chao is quite well known. If you haven't heard of him, then I advise you to go into a music store and ask to listen to it. I think most people will know straight away if you like it or not. I was enchanted by the album straight away. It ...
...portrays. Each song blends into the next with clever use of vocal and instrumental samples, all in diverse languages (Spanish, French, Portugese, English and even Russian). The album also has a definite Gypsy Kings vibe to it - lots of layered Spanish guitars and you feel like you're on holiday when you listen to it! Manu Chao conveys himself as a modern day Gypsy. The album concept is an illegal immigrant who is constantly moving. The title track ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting mix of styles and culteral influence
Disadvantages: none!

I first heard a Manu Chao track being played on a friend's mobile phone. I was immediately drawn to the catchy theme. Manu Chao is a very popular musician in Europe but his music has not so far been as popular in Britain. I expect that the profile of his music may be raised now that Robbie Williams has covered two of the tracks on this album (Bongo Bong and Je Ne T'aime Plus). This is the first solo album that was produced by Manu Chao. One of the ...
...all blend into each other musically. This gives the album great continuity and you feel like you are listening to a story being played out even if you don't follow all the lyrics. Manu Chao has Baque parents and grew up in the outer suburbs of Paris so many of the songs have lyrics written in French and Spanish but there are also songs in English and even in Portugese. I like this use of language as it adds to the diversity of the album as a whole. ... Read review

Advantages: Quick rhytm
Disadvantages: Too repetitive

...This album was a revelation back in 1998. For the French and Spanish MANU CHAO was the frontman of Mano Negra,one of the best bands of ska punk of the 90´s.Then Manu decided to go solo and he did pretty well though in a much softer way. If you like different rythms,latin,reagge,ska,pachanga,punk...there´s Manu with a mixture of all these and his own blend ,of course. He likes to mix cultures,worlds,languages....you can find songs sung in English,Spanish,French,Portuguese... The music is quite repetitive ,but if you like it you will get hooked on it.Anyway don´t expect a wonderful voice as Manu´s is just different but not great. The lyrics are very good,especially the ones for "Clandestino" and "Desaparecido". The main subjects that Manu talks about are immigration,anti-globalisation,human rights... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: the pleasure of freedom and joy
Disadvantages: --

...The pleasure of a travel in South America, the scent of the Andean air, the taste of an afternoon on the road of Mexico: ME GUSTAS TU, I like you so much! This is the brand new single of the Manu Chao, a sunny song that runs over the radios, a music that shows us the pleasure of freedom, the things we like, the acts we love, a musical piece that since its first notes comes to your hear like a fresh breeze, and you quicly pump up the volume of your radio or your tape (or CD) while your mind is already been to the ocean and your thinks goes to a sunny summer along a trip for the Latin world. You can still remember the goodness of "Bongo Bon" and the pretty sounds of "Clandestino", a fresh air in a musical contest full of technological sounds and scared stereotypes ... Thanks a lot to Manu Chao... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: motivating music
Disadvantages: too short

..., as the rhythms are irresistible and unconsciously or not, La Mano Negra's music makes you move. It's great for driving, to keep you lively or house cleaning, to get it done really quick trying to keep the rhythm! Or just to have a good stress relieving and energetic dance ;-) This album, "Puta's Fever" was released in 1989, by Virgin. Manu Chao wrote (except for two tracks, King Kong Five, and Patchanka) and produced all the songs on this album. ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful