Track Listing

1. Clandestino
2. Desaparecido
3. Bongo Bong
4. Je Ne T'aime Plus
5. Mentira
6. Lagrimas De Oro
7. Mama Call
8. Luna Y Sol
9. Por El Suelo
10. Welcome To Tijuana
11. Dia Luna...dia Pena
12. Malegria
13. La Vie A 2
14. Minha Galera
15. La Despedida
16. El Viento

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2977 in Music
• Released on: 2000-11-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

From Amazon.com
As one of the driving forces in the French-Spanish ethno-punk band Mano Negra, songwriter-guitarist Chao delivers a surprising solo endeavor. Centered around a simple editorial writing style and an acoustic guitar, this album chronicles his political and personal travels around the world, studying the foibles of life in Latin America and the Caribbean, through Africa and back to Europe. He quotes but never actually plays salsa, son, reggae, Latin pop, and African folk music, all to the service of his songs (written and sung in English, French, and Spanish). The backing is a deceptive hodgepodge of guest artists and collected sounds he has pasted together to service the simple songs he sings. There is a circuslike feel to the whole project, a childlike sense of wonder coupled with a cynical and sometimes sly glance at the "real world." This is a single piece of work, each song bleeding into the next without stopping, a train ride that slows at each station along the way but never stops. It has charm, wit, and depth--a rare and potent combination of virtues for a pop musician. --Louis Gibson

CD Description
This 1998 debut record by eclectic international artist Manu Chao reveals the stunning scope of his musical vision, andincludes dynamic, genre-hopping tracks such as "Mentira," "Luna Y Sol," and "Minha Galera."

Customer Reviews

A brilliant and original european sound
I first heard this while on holiday in France, Christmas of 1998 and thought it was really original and totally unlike the other 'euro pop' music we were being subjected to. For me, it captures the energy and fun of european music. It has a strong beat, catchy lyrics and memorable tunes. It is still one of my favorite CDs three years on, and I never tire of hearing it.

Supersonica!
This is actually the second Manu Chao album I've listened to (the other being Esperanza)and once again I find myself in awe of this guys genius. I love the pan-European flavour of his stuff, the polyglot playfulness of his lyrics and the wonderful, wondeful music that cannot fail to make you happy. Even the 'sad' tracks are so imbued with the joy of living that you want to go and jump in the sea, laughing. It's great. Buy it.

Happy music
I first came across Manu Chao whilst on holiday in Thailand. I had asked for some latino music and the shopkeeper came up with Clandestino. I only had to listen to the first song to know it was exactly what I was looking for. Happy, reggae, latino music with a slight funky twist. I particularly like all the background news snippets blended into the songs. It gives a more authentic, political flavour to the music. The guy in the shop told me that everytime he played this album people would stop by and ask what it was. Indeed, a passerby came running in delightedly to jiggle his hips to the tune of Bongo Bong and went on his way with a smile on his face. Such is the effect it has on you!