In July 2002, Manu Chao performed a live show in Japan, ending a worldwide tour carried out with his band, Radio Bemba New System, a multicultural group consisting of ten talented musicians from different countries. From Jamaican reggae to Latin alternative pop/rock, including rock en español, hip-hop, flamenco, and French rock, The Live Album delivers a collection of hits from 1998's Clandestino, 2001's Ultima Estacion Esperanza, and Mano Negra's legacy, the Parisian rock outfit named in honor of an Andalusian anarchist group that served as Manu Chao's breakthrough in the music industry. In addition, the 29-track record features the previously unreleased "Bienvenido a Tijuana," "Rumba de Barcelona," and a version of the classic Afro-Caribbean-inflected hit "Blood and Fire." Recorded at Paris' Grande Halle de La Villette in September 2001, The Live Album is a multilingual and experimental live experience featuring the best of Manu Chao. ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide
Ian Cooper (Mastering), Angelo (?), Renaud Letang (Release Coordinator), Renaud Letang (Mixing), Thomas Moulin (Assistant), Ibrahim (?), Guillaume (?), Manu Chao (Release Coordinator), Paul K. (?), Roy Paci (?), Roy B. (?), Chuco (?), Bouchon (?), Reynald (?)
Radio Bemba Sound System is a live album by Manu Chao that was released in 2002. It is the accompanying CD to the performer's live DVDBabylonia en Guagua, filmed over two nights (4–5 September) in 2001 during the tour for Proxima Estacion: Esperanza. Many of the songs found on Radio Bemba Sound System, such as "Machine Gun", "Peligro","Mala Vida","King Kong Five" and "The Monkey", are songs originally recorded by Manu Chao's previous band, Mano Negra. However the arrangements performed with Radio Bemba Sound System are more reggae-, ska-, and rock-oriented.
Track listing
"Intro" – 0:50
"Bienvenida a Tijuana" – 01:55
"Machine Gun" – 02:13
"Por Donde Saldra el Sol?" – 02:41
"Peligro" – 03:09
"Welcome to Tijuana" – 02:50
"El Viento" – 02:41
"Casa Babylon" – 02:34
"Por el Suelo" – 03:55
"Blood and Fire" – 02:35
"EZLN... Para Tod@s Todo..." – 01:41
"Mr Bobby" – 03:36
"Bongo Bong" – 01:05
"Radio Bemba" – 00:20
"Que Paso Que Paso" – 00:54
"Pinocchio (Viaggio In Groppa Al Tonno)" – 00:45
"Cahi en la Trampa" – 02:10
"Clandestino" – 02:59
"Rumba de Barcelona" – 03:31
"La Despedida" – 04:02
"Mala Vida" – 02:26
"Radio Bemba" – 00:34
"Que Paso Que Paso" – 01:10
"Pinocchio (Viaggio In Groppa Al Tonno)" – 00:45
"La Primavera" – 03:32
"The Monkey" – 01:59
"King Kong Five" – 02:44
"Minha Galera" – 03:17
"Promiscuity" – 01:44
Personnel
Radio Bemba Sound System is also the name of Manu Chao's backing band. Radio bemba is Cuban slang for "rumor mill," bemba meaning "lip." The term "sound system" in this context is a likely reference to the Jamaican sound system culture.
