Manu Katche Unstatic

World renowned handpan player and composer Manu Delago presents his unique new album, ‘Environ Me’, via One Little Independent Records. Constructed using his signature percussive skills as well as electronic manipulation and sounds recorded directly from an array of natural sources, the LP is a dynamic and poignant exploration that harnesses the best of his adventurous spirit and singular vision.

At the age of 12, Alexandre Cavaliere met Didier Lockwood, who invited him to Paris, giving his career a flying start. Then, everything followed naturally. Alexandre Cavaliere has been touring the international scene and has an impressive list of performances: at the Princess Grace Theatre in Monaco, as the opening act for Michel Jonasz at the Olympia, at the Espoo Jazz Festival in Finland, at the Brosella Folk & Jazz Festival and at the Djangofolllies, or again, thanks to Dorado Schmitt, in New York, at the Django Reinhardt Festival at Birdland.

The debut from Manu Chao, the former leader of French world-punks Lo Mano Negra, leaned heavily on Latin America for its inspiration, but this time around he's obviously been spending time–at least in his head–in the Caribbean. Reggae rhythms abound, and the opener "Merry Blues" features some wonderfully wonky Jamaican-style brass, while "Promiscuity" takes its cue from Trinidadian calypso. Of course, this being Chao, there are plenty of playful touches–from ringing cell phones to speeded-up vocals–and inevitably there are the Latin influences throughout to remind you of what remains close to his heart ("La Primavera" in particular is a standout).

The first solo album released by the former frontman of Mano Negra, Clandestino is an enchanting trip through Latin-flavored worldbeat rock, reliant on a potpourri of musical styles from traditional Latin and salsa to dub to rock 'n' roll to French pop to experimental rock to techno… Just about every track has odd sampled bits from what sound like pirate radio-station broadcasts (a possible link to the title). There are so many great ideas on this record that it's difficult to digest in one listen, but multiple plays reveal the great depth of Manu Chao's artistry.

The first solo album released by the former frontman of Mano Negra, Clandestino is an enchanting trip through Latin-flavored worldbeat rock, reliant on a potpourri of musical styles from traditional Latin and salsa to dub to rock & roll to French pop to experimental rock to techno…

The first solo album released by the former frontman of Mano Negra, Clandestino is an enchanting trip through Latin-flavored worldbeat rock, reliant on a potpourri of musical styles from traditional Latin and salsa to dub to rock & roll to French pop to experimental rock to techno. Chao's voice tends to be a bit nasally, but the best songs ("Mentira," "Mama Call," and the silly novelty "Bongo Bong") here benefit from his infectious, freewheeling delivery which incorporates balladry, chorus vocals, rapping, and tossed-off spoken-word passages. Just about every track has odd sampled bits from what sound like pirate radio-station broadcasts (a possible link to the title). There are so many great ideas on this record that it's difficult to digest in one listen, but multiple plays reveal the great depth of Manu Chao's artistry.

Clandestino, Mala Vida, Me gustas tú… Les chansons de Manu Chao sont connues et chantées à travers le monde entier. Artiste discret, souvent insaisissable, il fait partie des Français qui ont vendu le plus d'albums.
Dans cet ouvrage, chaque chanson de son œuvre immense est décryptée, dévoilant l'histoire, les idées, les influences, la vie de Manu Chao. Des débuts, au sein de la scène rock alternative française avec les Hot Pants, les Carayos ou la Mano Negra, au succès mondial et à son influence sur de nombreux artistes.