Disco de Mano Negra: “Best of Mano Negra [Ark 21]”

Every now and then a disc has to be bought more than once for whatever reason. Whether to turn someone on to something they're "missing", to replace a well used disc, or in the case of my situation, to replace a stolen one. Sometimes special discs are more deserving than one buy. That said, this is a fantastic disc that gets (got) much air play. If you're new to Manu Chao, this is where it began, under the guise of Mano Negra. The roots of his musical sesibilities shine throughout this compilation, that is a retrospective of the now defunt group Mano Negra. Mano Negra set the table for further explorations into different genre, with Latin style and punk attitude. Rock en Espanol has borrowed from these trend setters and have continued the tradition established by these early rockeros. Even veteran groups like Fabulosos Cadillacs, Negu Gorriak, Aterciopelados, Maldita Vencidad, Tijuana No, Todos Tus Muertos and more recently groups like King Chango, Ozomatli and El Gran Silencio owe much to the hybrid crossover sound of Mano Negra. Think The Clash in it's heyday but ala estilo Latino, with latin style. Manu Chao sounds very much the Clandestino captured here in his early years, with his transglobal vision, creating a panoramic view through third world eyes, like a communique from the streets. Case in point, the song "Peligro" resonates with an urban sense of urgency that sounds as fresh today as then with it's reggae back beat and funky horns. The political overtones of "Sueno de Solentiname" are nightmarish visions of right wing death squads in Latin America, complimented by Manu's echoes of hope amidst the chaos. "Senor Matanza" is one of those songs that stays with you and if you just happen to be a first time listener, grabs you and shakes you. The catchy tune demands the listener to absorb the lyrics, to go beyond the beat, to think of "El Senor Matanza." Another highlight of this superb historical disc is that several of the tracks are captured live. The live tracks display the emotion and raucous good times had at a performance by Manu and Mano Negra. There is even a song glorifying futbol, that would be World Cup type futbol, entitled "Santa Maradonna" complete with ole, ole, oles and cries of gooooooooaaaal in French. This is just one of those discs that demands to be replayed, again and again, in spite of thieves. Highly recommended for old and new fans of the King of Bongo.

This is a good cd. I saw it in the shop just last week. I remembered the song King Kong Five from the past and I remembered I really liked it back then. I listened to the disc in the shop and was stunned by it's brilliantness. It was something I never heard before. You can hear that these guys really make music because they love it. I don't understand why these guys split up but it's a lost for the musicindustry (which nowadays is full with really BAD popsongs). I like french hip hop but this is MUCH better.

Mix of culture makes the difference. you want rythm and good lyrics? That is a CD that you have to have. I know Mano Negra for about 10 years now and I still enjoy the input of energy in every single song! Just listen to it and you will understand what I say.

Mano Negra may well be the greatest rock band ever (they surely were the best live band I have ever seen). But, since they came from France, you might have never heard of them. Well, now it is your chance to make up for it. From 1988 to 1994, they revolutionized rock music by mixing Punk and Funk with traditional music from Arabia, Africa, Latin America, Spain and their native France. Also, in many countries, they were the first rock superstars to sound different from what came from England and the USA, so they became role models for a whole generation of non-anglo rockers. Every track in this CD rocks. Tracks 1, 2, 5, 8, 10 and 11 are in English (in a very thick French accent). Tracks 3, 6, 7, 9 and 12 are in Spanish. Track 4 is in some unidentified Arab language, while track 13 is in French.

This cd is a great compilation of Mano Negra's recordings- although more songs would have been even better- and two new songs.

Es una super recopilacion de Mano Negra- aunque mas canciones hubiera sido mejor- y dos nuevas canciones.