Having also followed Manu Chao since the release of clandestino, his first solo outing, and then back tracked through the Mano Negra days, his previous outings with his brother. I was as you can imagine very keen to hear the new album - Radiolina. Having read a rather dissapointing review in the Times last weekend i was even more concerned that this would not live up to the other albums, in paticular Esperanza.
However I am happy to report that this is not the case, on a typically dull and grey Summers day i popped the CD in the player and listened to the whole 22 tracks.
Radiolina is a slight departure from the more mellow and sample infused Clandestino and Esperanza, However it is replaced by a much more upbeat and heavy sound reminiscant of the early days of Manu Negra. Still chock full of Political commentry, The stand out tracks for me include the highly infectious Politik, and Raining in Paradise, although it is hard to single out specifics as the whole album is a gem.
Despite the uneducated and down right crooked views of the Times reviewer, This album is a must buy for the Manu Chao fan. People who do not know Manu Chao give it a go you will be hooked.
Manu Chao up until this point has enjoyed a somewhat cult following in the UK, Our cousins in Europe and South America have embraced him as his talent deserves, Joe Strummer of the Clash rated him and I think you will be hearing a lot more from this Manu - Look out for his UK tour !
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