Los Carayos Album Review

Ok time for another album review after an endless search, many a dead end or false lead I finally was able to obtain a copy of Los Carayos (Manu Chao pre Mano Negra) Persistent et Signet as well as their Au Prix ou sont les courges all on the same disk! What a score and I was actually able to obtain this import from a source at a reasonable price and I didn't have to sign away a kidney or liver this time around. This musical gem takes one back to the wee early days of Mr. Oscar Tramor where he shares vocals with bandmates Schultz and Francois. The musical bliss of this disk is one of sound that one would imagine trampling thru the towns and villages of Europe and stopping off at a pub or cabaret to hear a local or traveling band, musical influences are of blues, folk (European folk that is) rockabilly and a bit of well experimentation. Just as Manu's present releases consist of songs in French, English, Spanish and Arabic, so are the songs of Los Carayos, a glimpse to the past of where it all began. Although this is more of a folky/rockabilly sound than Hot Pants or Mano Negra I find this disk unstoppable on my player. With such a focus on acoustic instruments it reminds me of some what of Nightlosers. So if you are looking for some tongue in cheek good ole down home shit kickin partying music then go on yer endless search for the Los Carayos collection, and is a must have for those Manu Chao fans. I give this disk 6 Vodka Martini's out of five.