Radio Bemba Sound System

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Radio Bemba Sound System
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  1. Audio CD: Release Date 2002-09-17
  2. Publisher: Virgin France
  3. Artist: Manu Chao
  4. Format: Live, Import
  5. Sales Rank in Music: #32199

Product Review

2008 reissue of this two CD live release. Radio Bemba Sound System is Manu Chao's live album originally released in 2002 and has sold almost one million copies worldwide. It is the accompanying CD to his live DVD Babylonia en Guagua, which was filmed over two nights in 2001 during the tour for his album Proxima Estacion: Esperanza. Many of the songs found on Radio Bemba Sound System, such as 'Machine Gun', 'Peligro' and 'The Money' are songs originally recorded by Manu's previous band Mano Negra. Because.

Amazon.com

Anyone who's caught Manu Chao and his band Radio Bemba Sound System at one of their live gigs will testify that the Parisian troubadour sure knows how to throw a party. This live album draws on reggae, salsa, and Latin pop songs from Chao's first two excellent solo albums (Clandestino and Proxima Estación: Esperanza) as well as joyous gems from his time leading the more punk-tinged Mano Negra. While the styles vary as often as the languages (Chao flits from Spanish to English to French as he translates his life as a global nomad into his music), the common thread is a sense of vitality and hope. From the uplifting reggae of "Bienvenida a Tijuana" to the African pop and salsa of "Casa Babylon," this album showcases Chao's role as the pied piper of multiculturalism, leading his crowd on a (literally) merry dance. And it's the crowd that really makes these 29 tracks come into their own. You can almost picture the mob waving, cheering, blowing whistles, shouting into megaphones, and generally having the wildest time this side of Rio Mardi Gras. A great flashback for those who have seen Chao live and a perfect introduction for recent converts. --Ian Watson
Title Tracks for Radio Bemba Sound System

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (31 customer reviews)

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying complement to your Manu Chao collection..., March 29, 2003
Magnetichuman (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Radio Bemba Sound System (Audio CD)
Some of the negative reviews that I've read here about this title seem to be a result of the fact that on many of these tracks, Manu Chao strays quite a bit from the original arrangements as originally presented in their studio counterparts. While some of the songs on "Radio Bemba" are missing some of the texture that made them so wonderful in their initial incarnations ("Bongo Bong" for example), over all the re-workings of many of the songs make for a refreshing listen, especially if you have already spun your beloved "Clandestino" CD over a thousand times. While not necessarily a substitute for the original studio versions, many of these songs benefit from the energy infused into them in the live versions, and I think that it proves to be a satisfying listen for the Manu Chao afficianado (especially if one doesn't go in expecting a regurgitation of the studio versions). I was hesitant to pick this up after reading some of the negative reviews, but I...Read more


15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars One contagious party with sounds from all over the world, August 2, 2003
Manny Hernandez "@askmanny" (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   
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This review is from: Radio Bemba Sound System (Audio CD)
Listening to Manu Chao is synonimous with party. His music is packed with chords and choruses that promise to make you smile, make your feet move and make you want to clap the night away, looking at the stars with your friends. Recorded around the world live between 2000 and 2002, with a powerful ensemble consisting of no less than 25 band members bursting in sounds that show the influences of reggae, ska, flamenco and all sorts of world music, the former front man of Mano Negra, Manu Chao came back in 2002 with the very contagious album 'Radio Bemba Sound System'. Tastefully handpicked arrangements for the live versions blow new life into several of his classic songs and a few borrowed from his Mano Negra years. Listening to the album is transporting yourself to the 'ramblas' in Barcelona or by the beach in Rio de Janeiro, dancing to his music with the crowd. Enjoy it!


13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars "El Clandestino" LIVE, October 21, 2002
Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   
This review is from: Radio Bemba Sound System (Audio CD)
This live set, compiled from various locations over Mano Chao's recent world tour is exemplary of his sheer raw energy and the synergistic relationship he has with his fans. If you are familiar with Mano the music here comes mostly from his second solo release entitled "Proxima Estacion:Esperanza" and it is killer. If you can sit without moving to this music have someone check your pusle. Beginning with the now familiar(if you've heard his last release) time zone check, Mano leads into a zippy rendition of "Bienvenida A Tijuana" which is an appropriate calling of arms to his Radio Bemba to begin an uptempo set that has every style from slow bass thumpng reggae that morfs into ska- Latin punk- flavored rhythmns. They move easily from song to song, including anothe version of "Welcome To Tijuana." The utilization of stage sound system effects folow the style of his albums including his political messages delivered via the words of EZLN leader sub commander Marcos. With 29 songs...Read more

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