Mano Negra - Mala Vida

Named in honor of an Andalucian anarchist group, Mano Negra emerged from the Parisian artists' scenes, drawing equal influence from the punk ethos of the Clash and the multitude of sounds and rhythms endemic to the global music community.

Formed in 1986, Mano Negra essentially consisted of vocalist Manu Chao, his trumpeter brother Tonio and drummer cousin Santiago Casiriego.

Spanish natives who fused a number of styles: punk rock, flamenco, ska, raï, salsa, reggae and African rhythms. Mano Negra's debut LP, appeared in 1988, scoring the French indie hit "Mala Vida".

The record's success led to a contract with Virgin, which in 1989 issued the group's sophomore effort Puta's Fever (Dominican slang for a sexually-transmitted disease caught from a prostitute), increasing the band's visibility abroad as well as establishing them as France's most popular alternative act.

While 1991's King of Bongo attempted to broaden their Anglo fanbase via the inclusion of several English-language tracks, but their focus quickly turned to South America when in 1992 they embarked on the "Cargo Tour," travelling to a series of port cities to perform on a stage built into their ship's hold.

Mano Negra returned the following year, this time journeying by rail from Colombia's Caribbean coast to the capital city of Bogotá, giving free concerts at stations en route.

Latin influences dominated 1994's Casa Babylon, which proved to be the group's final record;

After the split, Manu Chao who was the leader of the band went to a solo career earning more commercial success due to smoothing his former style into a more friendly and hip sound.