If you’re sensing the inexorable march of Autumn and groaning over emails about catering arrangements for the office Christmas party, the vibrant carnival and dub rhythms offered up by world music’s foremost pin-up might seem a little incongruous. However, with just a handful of his material to hand, it’s clear where Manu Chao’s reputation as a staple on gap year playlists comes from. Two minutes in and you will probably have thought about jacking in the job and planning that Latin American backpacking adventure you promised yourself however many years ago.

Taken from the newly released CD and DVD set Baionarena, the live recordings on this EP are from the last night of Manu’s mammoth two year world tour with Radio Bemba, at the Roman Ampitheatre in Bayonne in 2008. Though his studio material, such as 2008’s Exodus-style La Radiolina can be criticised for offering an abundance of filler tracks, this selection brilliantly evokes the energy of his live shows, and the influence of diaspora on his music. The songs featured use three of Manu’s seven different languages (Spanish, French, English) and reflect his political, anti-establishment concerns. The DVD set features the Bayonne show in its entirety, as well as bonus material. For those who didn’t catch the tour, including his 2008 Glastonbury set, this EP offers an affirming introduction to a man taking on the world in many senses of the phrase.

Baionarena is released on 19th October via Because Music

By Maxine Frances Roper