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France's Manu Chao wows world with latest album

Chao
Chao's music interest began when he played the guitar with gangs on the streets of Paris  


(CNN) -- While he might prefer performing at friends' parties and on the streets of Paris, Manu Chao definitely has a knack for attracting a greater, global audience.

His latest release, "Proxima Estacion: Esperanza" ("Next Stop: Hope") became the No. 1 album in Europe and Latin America soon after it hit record stores in June.

Chao (whose real name is Oscar Tramor) was born in Paris to Spanish immigrants and first caught Europe's attention with the funky sounds of the group Mano Negra. Chao formed the group in the late '80s by approaching musicians who played for a living in the Paris subway -- also the site for Mano Negra's first rehearsals.

VIDEO
CNN's Worldbeat talks with performer Manu Chao about the cultural influences in his music (July 27)

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After they broke up in 1994, Chao went solo and compiled 1998's "Clandestino," a collection of songs he recorded sporadically on a portable sound system while traveling around South America and Europe. The album was met with both critical and commercial success, selling over 4 million copies.

A consummate traveler, Chao focuses on multiculturalism with lyrics alternating between Portuguese, Spanish, French and English. Often given credit for helping pioneer Latin Alternative music, he combines reggae, rock, rap, Latin, flamenco and electronic influences in his message-rich tunes.

"Proxima Estacion: Esperanza" relies a little more on reggae and calypso rhythms than the almost completely Latin-sounding "Clandestino."

World Beat recently caught up with Manu Chao to talk about music, travel and hope. Watch this exclusive report.






RELATED SITE:
• Manu Chao - Site Officiel

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