Casa Babylon [Original recording reissued]

La Mano Negra

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 18, 2002)
• Original Release Date: July 11, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: EMI Latin
• ASIN: B000005MZW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #139,457 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Fusionning Trash Rock and Latin Music, They Became France's Biggest Alternative Rock Band in the Late 80's / Early 90's.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, March 15, 2002

By	s k a kitson (Birmingham, UK) - See all my reviews

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great album, one of the best of the 90's, December 23, 1998

By A Customer

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Album that changed the way I see music, April 30, 2003

By A Customer

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...