Manu Chao at Sasquatch 2007
photo by JoshC
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole, is Me Llaman Calle
by Manu Chao from the 2007 album La Radiolina on Nacional.
Manu Chao has returned, after six years without a studio release, with a summation of his previous output. The layered vocals, horns, and infectious blend of reggae and folk presented on Clandestino and Proxima Estacion: Esperanza combine here with the punk-rock influence of Chao’s earlier days with Mano Negra. Singing in nearly ten different languages, Chao has always proven highly adept at bridging numerous cultures. Laced with more globe-spanning political and societal issues, La Radiolina will certainly reach a wider audience than its predecessors, exposing a new world of listeners to the biggest party in the social justice movement. Chao toured the US earlier this summer with stops at Lollapalooza, Coachella, and the more local Sasquatch, just to name a few. He is now set to spend October touring through Europe. Head over to his website and MySpace page for all the up-to-date news and a wealth of primary colors, and also check out this video for Rainin’ In Paradize,
the first single off the new record:
One Comment
Thank you KEXP for spotlighting one of today’s greatest artists, MANU CHAO! I’m loving his new album “La Radiolina” and hope to hear a lot more of it on the station.