LES NEGRESSES VERTES

Les Négresses Vertes, formed in 1987, are a French music group who are best described as a fusion of world music and some aspects of alternative rock. Their particular musical influences were Algerian raï, Mediterranean and South American music and French café music.
Their tracks often feature acoustic guitar and accordion, as well as some tracks containing many other 'traditional' instruments such as piano and brass. Their style is fairly upbeat and energetic on the majority of their tracks, with unusual rhythms, vocals delivered with a generous dose of zeal and vibrant energy, and accompaniment melodies ranging from lilting and distant to eccentric and fast-paced. These two factors give many of their pieces a strong sense of direction.
On January 22, 1993, the lead singer, Helno, died of a drug overdose.

MLAH (1989)
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This album must be one of the best forgotten albums ever. I haven't listened to it for about seven years but played it the other day and was surprised at the freshness of this band's first effort. It is an album that will be hoisted to the top of the retro's chart when the folkish bands of the late 80s become popular again i.e. The Pogues and the Waterboys. Mlah is full of good musicianship, songwriting, humour, tragedy, folk, rock, punk etc. It is a shame that the following albums never saw the band reach its' potential - as well as the death of the singer. This is an album that any serious fan of music must listen to, if not own it.

1. La Valse
2. Zobi La Mouche
3. C'est Pas La Mer A Boire
4. Voila L'ete
5. Orane
6. La Faim Des Haricots
7. Les Yeux De Ton Pere
8. Il
9. L'homme Des Marais
10. Les Rablablas Les Roubliblis
11. Marcelle Ratafia
12. La Danse Des Negresses Vertes
13. Hey Maria
14. Le Pere Magloire

FAMILLE NOMBREUSE (1991)
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Though it doesn't quite reach the heights of "Mlah", "Famille Nombreuses" is well worth a listen. This is a wonderful album, packed with bouncing rhythms, inventive splashes of musical colour ('Bodega', 'Quai de Jemappe'), infuriatingly catching melodies ('Familie Heureuse') and humanitarian lyrics typical of LNV's early days before the untimely death of their singer (the late Helno, always sounded to me like a French Joe Strummer or a French Shane MacGowan) Just image how infectious the sound of Les Negresses Vertes is.
Truly recommended for those who favour style over fashion and substance over sheen.

1. Famille Heureuse
2. Perpetuellement Votre
3. Face A La Mer
4. Belle De Nuit
5. Get Some Wood
6. Sous Le Soleil De Bodega
7. Si Je M'en Vais...
8. Hou Mamma Mia...
9. Infidele Cervelle
10. La France A Ses Dimanches
11. Sang Et Nuit
12. Car C'est Un Blouze
13. Quai De Jemmapes

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