Customer Reviews

Casa Babylon

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is probably not the most accessible of the Mano Negra albums. When I bought it it took me a while to see what all the fuss was about. However now I rate it as their best album- in fact it's probably better than either of Manu Chao's superb solo efforts. This album marks a new departure for Mano Negra the French group comprising Manu Chao, his brother and cousin and a few of their Parisian friends. The first Mano album, Patchanka, introduced an alternative rock group half-way between the Clash and the Pogues. Diverse sounds, diverse influences- mainly punk, rockabilly, ska and a little bit of Latino at that stage. The second album, Puta's Fever, saw the group on a multinational label and enjoying considerable success in France, Spain, Japan and Latin America. The third album, King of Bongo, was dismissed by many critics, wrongly in my view. It contained less of the cheery party songs and more reference to the French chanson tradition. It also contained the hugely popular single 'Out of Time Man'. Following all this commercial success the group decided to take off to South America for two years of giving free concerts and exploring local musical traditions. Huge tensions erupted in the group, not least between the Chao brothers, Manu and Antoine ('Tonino'). But this venture into the unknown paid huge dividends. When the group came back to Europe they brought with them much more depth in their sound. The Latin influence in songs like the superb Senor Matanza was even more authentic and the album also featured the lead singer of the Argentinian band Todos tus muertos. An idea of the diversity is provided in the run of songs going from Mama Perfecta through to Sueno de Solentiname. Mama Perfecta was influenced by Colombian Cumbia. This led directly into the Clash inspired classic 'Love and Hate', sung in English, French and Spanish. That then becomes the very authentic sounding Jamaican reggae on 'She Drives Me Crazy' a song which ends with synthesised rat noises reminiscent of 'Down in the Sewer' by the Stranglers. This fed into 'Hamburger Fields' which closes with the 'I will **** you like a superman' reel from the end of the Beatles' Sargent Pepper album ('Strawberry Fields' oblige). The song then feeds into the brilliant danceable reggae of 'La Vida' which then feeds into 'Sueno de Solentiname' containing a brilliant dub bass line and a sound which wouldn't have been out of place on either of Manu's solo albums. On this album Mano Negra were no longer hiding behind their stage persona- for the first time the Chao brothers were refered to by their real names on the list of musicians. The musicianship on here is superb and the songs are varied. As someone once said: 'A splendid time is guaranteed for all'. This album is a must for all fans of alternative Latin music.

This is one of the best Latin Rock CDs ever, if you can put it in any category. Mano Negra was a great ensamble put together by Manu Chao, the lider and writer of most of the songs in the collection.

A great concept album that includes Rock, Rap, Salsa and French Chanson. Unfortunately this was the last album by Mano Negra before they broke up.

If you like this one, try King of Bongo (a more Rock oriented collection) by Mano Negra, and Clandestino, the first solo album by Manu Chao.

This album is a perfect mirror of the Latin American Culture, I felt that this record was made for us Latin people to see ourselves projected, and is done with a lot of grace and elegance. This record is a lot more than a record, you can feel the way this band aproaches music, it's so natural and casual (the way it's suposed to be... If you want to listen to something thar you have never heard before, then this is the record for you, I would encorage everyone to listen to this record, but it's not for everyone, I've heard some ignorant people saying that this is not even music, cause is so different, but if you like new and diferent things (well considering that it came out almost 10 years ago) you should give it a try, and if you don't speak spanish, please have someone translate the lyrics for you. Sorry for my english, and I hope you find this record as incredible as I do. 10-4...

Even Clandestino (First Manu Chao's album) is not as good as MANO NEGRA's CASA BABYLON.

Rock, dub, rap, dancehall, and latin all together in an album that has made history in europe. From the launching of this CD, there are an uncountable number of spanish and french groups that try to imitate this "Babylon" sound.

Casa Babylon is an album that even today is being sold in spanish shops, it is the reference for what you can call "latino rock", but it is more than latino, even more than rock.

For me it is one of the five best albums ever made. And I'm not kiddin'

Good to see everyone speaks so highly of this CD.

What can you say about Mano Negra that has not been said? This CD is one of the best top 10 Castellano rock albums of all times. How do I know this? Well besides being from Buenos Aires I have traveled Latin America and España all my life and this CD is always in any hip rock bar's jukebox from Argentina to Mexico. It's true + what Manu did with Clandestino, etc... set this cd into eternal immortality. Rock, rap, reggae, Caribbean sounds, punk, English, Castellano, French (+ you start to notice Manu playing around with the sounds bites from TV and radio on this album) Buy it and you will not be disappointed. Amazon has all from Manu and Mano Negra on here which you should check out. Look for the Bolivian mountain sessions on MP3 Download sites, also has a rare Mano Negra appearance at a French prison early 90's. " 2 de la tarde 28 minutos con radio recuerdos...tu suerte merece un chance...._" Arturo

This is a mix of rithms and thoughs between Eurpoe and Latinamerica. This work reflects the reaility of LatinAmerica through songs like Senor Matanza. Excellent Job!

La primera vez que oi la voz de Manu (el cantador) fue en mi clase de espanol hace dos anos. Inmediatamente compre su disco solo "Clandestino" y lo amaba mucho. Por eso compre Casa Babylon, y ahora es uno de mis discos favoritos. Los ritmos son perfectos para las personas que les gusta bailar (como yo) y las letras tambien son muy buenas. Dos canciones son lentas e increibles, muy poderosas: "mama perfecta" y "sueno de solentiname," y las otras canciones son mas rapidas y igualmente fantasticas. A mi parece muy sofisticada, y hay muchisimos sonidos diferentes aunque el disco es muy unido. Otros grupos/artistas que me encantan: The Beatles, The Greatful Dead, Led Zeppelin, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, The Allman Brothers, y otros grupos americanos de los 60s y 70s (musica "hippie"). (lo siento por mi espanol ojala que no sea terrible)

The first time I heard Manu's voice was in my spanish class two years ago. I immediately bought his solo cd, Clandestino, and i loved it, so I bought "Casa Babylon" and now it's one of my favorite CDs. The rhythms are perfect for people who like to dance (like me) and the words are also really good. Two songs are slow and incredible, very powerful: "mama perfecta" and "sueno de solentiname" and the other songs are faster and just as fantastic. It seems very sophisticated and there are a lot of different sounds although the disc is very united. Other bands/artists I like: The Beatles, The Greatful Dead, Led Zeppelin, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, The Allman Brothers, and other American groups from the 60s and 70s ('hippie' music).

The final and most mature effort from Mano Negra, basically driven by Manu Chao before he went solo and ironic for that fact since it is so much more rock and electronic than his subsequent solo work. Mano Negra were a great, interesting, rocking band that were entertaining as well as thought-provoking. Some people have called them 'the latin Clash' and there are definitely similarities although the Mano Negra were obviously on the scene a little later. A great album for fans, but as others have noted, maybe Puta's Fever would be a better initiation to the band.

the language mix is just great, feel the tribal rhythm vibrating within yourself. Allow all your rebel instinct to explode in one loud outburst.

I'm sure this the best Cd I have ever listen to, Open your mind and buy it, it's good for your health OK