Manu Chao, a French singer of Spanish origin sings in many languages; Spanish, French, English, Arabic, and Portuguese and some other languages. This multi language singer first started his musical career with the French band "Hot Pants", making music with multiple styles. He then formed the group "Mano Negra" in 1987, but because of politic reasons left the group in 1995. He then went solo and formed a new group, "Radio Bemba Sound System". With this group he made a steady rise in his career releasing his albums Clandestino, Próxima Estación: Esperanza, and La Radiolina. He mixes many styles such as punk, rock, reggae, ska, the French chanson and even Algerian raï. His songs are mostly about love, immigration and politics, and some songs have a left wing message. Although this talented artist is one of the world's best selling, he is not that well known in the English speaking countries. I expect to listen to more of his work, and hope to see him on tour soon.
This band is a compilation of New Yorker immigrants from eastern Europe. Their music is rich and composite full of gypsy, punk, rock music and Ukrainian influence sung in multiple languages. After forming an amateur band and being banned from a few musichalls for being too over the top they made their first album 'Voi-la Intruder' with the help by Jim Sclavunos of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds and Grinderman (ex-Sonic Youth, the Cramps). After that they have recorded 5 albums, 4 singles and have received rewards such as the BBC World Music Award in 2007. The band is nearly always on tour with world festivals, and espicially collaborating with other gypsy bands such as Manhattan Samba, Yuri Yunakov, Ivo Papasov, Piroshka Rac, Sasha Kolpakov Trio, Asian Dub Foundation, Kultur Shock, Rootsman, La Phaze... They were also much talked about with their wonderful show with Madonna at Live Eight. Gogol Bordello also stars in Madonna's directorial debut 'FILTH AND WISDOM'. Their shows are colourful and theatrical and their musical performance is fabulous.
Read more about Gogol Bordello: Gogol Bordello, official website Gogol Bordello @myspace
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