Issue 158

Introducing ...the marvellous MANU CHAO

22nd October 2007

Manu Chao has the second biggest selling album in France but in the UK Manu Chao is still a relatively unknown commodity. La Radiolina (his fifth solo album) sees him pick up the pace and drive his music further in terms of politics, power and prowess.

With Spanish parents, a childhood spent in France and currently homes in Brazil (where his son lives) and Barcelona, it's not surprising that Manu Chao fails to see the point of borders and flag waving behaviour. He has always opted to do things his own way by refusing to do huge tours or even book dates more than 6 months away. After a frustrating relationship with virgin records he is now signed to French label "Because" which seems to suit his way of working better.

Biggest influences:
Bob Marley, Joe strummer of the clash and Luis Gűereńa (Tijuana)

Biggest hit:
Both Lilly Allen and Robbie Williams have attempted to cover hit track Bongo bong but it remains Chao's most infamous hit.

Dicography:
Clandestino (1998) his first solo work produced on his laptop as he travelled the world is a masterpiece by anybodies definition. The title is the Spanish word for illegal and is strongly influenced by the plight of those trying to enter Europe from Africa.

In 2001 "Proximo Estacion: Espanza" (next stop hope) was released with a much more upbeat and less political feel to it. This album includes a tribute to Bob Marley; Mr Bobby ("hey bobby Marley sing something good for me, this world go crazy it's an eternity") and another classic "La Primavera." Various live albums were put out following this, the biggest of which was 'Radio Bemba Soundsystem' which tried to encapsulate Manu's wild live shows on disc.

Finally in September this year the six year wait was over for fans as he released "La Radiolina" which is both fast paced and political, combining Manu Chao's strongest assets. In the six years between the last two albums he has been involved in a number of projects producing others music. The biggest success of this has certainly been Amadou and Mariam's album "Dimanche a Bamaco" which transformed the sound of a blind African couple from Mali into something much more urban and hip.

His live shows are recognised as some of the best in the world because he is utterly incapable of leaving songs the way he wrote and recorded them on albums. He once commented that a song is never finished it just keeps evolving and changing with the mood and the place. Last year Chao was given a prime time slot in American Superfestival Coachella warming up the crowd ahead of Rage Against the Machine. Some had been concerned that an impatient RATM crowd would show little respect and time for Manu Chao but infact it will go down in history as one of his best shows as he turned the crowd with ease and style.

You'll see him next on tour various dates around the UK and Europe. He is also working on a project with Argentinean radio DJs from a psychiatric ward.

If all goes quiet, he's bound to be held up in his office (a bar in barcelona) preparing to take the world by storm with something completely new and original.

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