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We live in an age where many artists feel compelled to release albums
every year lest the music buying public forget them. Manu Chao has left a
staggering six year gap between his last album and La Radiolina (Little Radio). But when you're a world music artist whose debut album was
outsold only by Buena Vista Social Club, it's safe to say you're not
going to be forgotten easily.
It's not that Manu Chao has been leading a hermit like existence in a cave
for all this time. During the interim, amongst much else, he's produced
Amadou & Mariam's excellent Dimanche A Bamako album. But fans can now
rejoice that the busman's holiday is now over with the arrival of this hotly
anticipated third solo record.
Chao's earlier work was recorded on a portable eight track studio carried
around in his backpack. Time has moved on and the eight track has now been
replaced with a laptop. The global traveller spirit remains the same, but this time he's been
able to produce a more vibrant, multi-layed mix of sound. The album was
originally planned for a release earlier this year, but was put back so the
laptop could be put through its paces with more sonic tinkering.
This album is a concentrated effort to break into the English speaking
market, the only domain where Chao isn't a megastar. For anyone who's somehow unaware, he's a truly global
artist who divides his time between Paris, Barcelona, Bamako and Buenos
Aires. It's not difficult to see why La Radiolina contains as many different
styles of music as there are stamps on his passport. The multi-lingual
vocals are designed to appeal to all and his music without borders approach
is sure to appeal to the masses.
Despite not liking the world music pigeon hole, Chao draws on many
influences from around the world to create a truly global experience. We're
taken to each and every continent is this collection of energetic, bite size
songs. It's an anarchic mix which is fun, exuberant and passionate. It's
difficult to ask for more.
Of course, the world has changed considerably in the last six years and
this album reflects those changes. At first glace some of the tracks such as
Politik Kills carry some simplistic rhetoric, but it's never nihilistic or
tiring. If there's one criticism of the album is that it needs a few listens
to grow on you - its predecessor Proxima Estacion Esperanza was a more immediate affair.
At first it may sound a little repetitive in places and at
time certain musical motifs seem to be repeated now and again. However, this
is one of those albums that makes sure you spot something different every time
and it's certainly not a chore to listen to.
La Radiolina is sure to delight Chao's legions of fans and will convert
some new disciples. Only time will tell if this album will attain classic
status - but let's not leave it for another six years, Mr Chao.
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