Zap Mama - A Ma Zone
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Free Music Notes for A Ma Zone
Free Music Review: A Ma Zone lacking a track
Hit: 4 Stars
Having heard many times ZM's version of "Iko Iko", the very best version ever, I was very disappointed that there were two versions of A Ma Zone, since I bought the one without "Iko Iko". Now I am searching for their version of that song. Any explanation?Free Music Review: hot mamas
Hit: 5 Stars
I borrowed this cd from a friend and have kept it for almost a year. It is what I always listen to in my car and at home. Zap Mama's collaboration with The Roots is going to break down barriers in music. It's smooth grooves and soft vocals will put you in a good mood any time you listen to it.Free Music Review: 6 stars
Hit: 5 Stars
Any CD or album recognized as a classic, generally warrants such accolades within it's own genre. After listening to "a ma zone" repeatedly for years after it's release, I've concluded that the term "classic" for it's own genre (whatever that may be) sells this special CD short. Zap Mama has come up with a universal gem of all contemporary musics combined. Simply put, one of the greatest musical projects I've ever listened to. By mixing instrumental, electronic, and vocal dynamics within brilliant yet simple compositions, these angelic artists take you on an emotional ride of orgasmic proportions. Abstract as the Cocteau twins and as sophisticated as Les Nubians, Zap Mama succeeds in sounding like neither. Fusing elements of funk, alternative, jazz, hip-hop and so much more, this CD provides a flawless "must have" masterpiece for the eclectic ear. Rated 5 stars only `cause 6 wasn't an option.Free Music Review: Too Much Euro, Needs More Afro
Hit: 4 Stars
Zap Mama has described their own sound as "Afropean," meaning the mixture of European (or Western) hooks and instrumentation with the authentic African vocal stylings from group leader Marie Daulne's homeland. This is a very fun album but unfortunately there's a little too much of the Western and not enough of the non-Western. The main problem here is the many different types of music behind the group's vocals. As Zap Mama were once an acapella group, they're now backed by hip hop, funk, electronica, and R&B in alternating songs, leading to an album that is not very cohesive. This is what happens when too many producers and guest stars meddle with a group's basic sound. I do admit that the funk in "Allo Allo" is really swinging, but some of the music here just plain doesn't work. The predictable drums-n-bass beats in "Call Waiting" and limp R&B in "My Own Zero" really undermine Marie's seductive lead vocals and the ladies' unique African harmonizing. The best songs on this album are those that don't stray too far from Zap Mama's true roots in African vocal techniques, and that's no coincidence. The winners are "W'Happy Mama," "Gissie," and "Ya Solo." So while the music on this album is sometimes exasperating and detracts from the group's sound, overall the day is saved as Marie is an excellent singer and the group's harmony techniques are very intriguing.Note: My copy of this album has two limited edition tracks - the soundtrack item "Iko Iko" which is a predictable cover song; and a remix of "Rafiki" which differs from the original only by having less melody and adding a useless rap overdub. Don't worry if you can't find a copy with these extra tracks because they're not essential.
Free Music Review: Beyond Simple Classification
Hit: 4 Stars
A MA ZONE is definitely the most mainstream of their albums so far, but it doesn't completely stray from the more vocally driven sound of their earlier albums. It's also arguably their most eclectic set to date."Call Waiting" sounds like a perfect James Bond theme song with an Afrocentric twist. It's also a good showcase for Marie Daulne's passionate vocals.
For fans of Zap Mama's early work, "Gissi?" is a real gem. The vocal interplay on the track is really nice. "M'Toto" is another fine track with playful vocals that sound like they are singing a nursery rhyme.
"'Allo 'Allo" has a mellow, but funky vibe that for obvious reasons sounds like a reworking of Manu Dibango's 1970's classic "Soul Makossa." "Kemake" is also very funky with a serious James Brown vibe.
Generally, all of the tracks are at least good, if not great. Adventurous hip-hop fans should really like this album. Fans of their a capella sound might be a bit disappointed. For most broadminded music fans, this CD is definitely worth a serious listen. It's better than 99% of the stuff you hear on commercial music stations.
Check it out.