Ma Zone [Import]

Amazon.com
On their fourth album, Zap Mama slide even further away from their early manifestation as a cappella group singing the traditional pygmy chants of West Africa--but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Enlisting notable Philly hip-hop artists the Roots as well African pop star Manu Dibango, Zap Mama blend the traditional singing for which they gained notoriety with the modern beats of drum & bass and hip-hop. The mix steams up a breathy, sensual brand of Euro-African-American pop. "Comment Ça Va?" swivels in and out of slow hip-hop beats; dark, twanging oudlike bass; and lead singer Marie Daulne's delicate vocals. "'Allo 'Allo" goes light on the sax and heavy on the hook, bringing a funky, playful edge to the collection. "Kemake" grooves understatedly with organ and a soulful, spinning vocal, demonstrating this group's diversified sound. The upbeat French Afro-hip-hop of Les Nubians Zap Mama are not: these women entice with a subtle, underground sound that's all their own. --Karen K. Hugg

Ma Zone,Zap Mama,Emi

Average customer rating: A wonderful and original CD Almost 3 months... A Ma Masterpiece A Ma Zone by Zap Mama YET ANOTHER EXCELLENT ZAP MAMA CD!!

A Ma Zone Zap Mama Manufacturer: Luaka Bop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Belgium | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Fusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Princesses Nubiennes One Step Forward Les Nubians Presents Echos, Chapter One Zap Mama Aye ASIN: B0000CC83G Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

1. Rafiki
2. W'happy Mama
3. Call Waiting
4. Gissi
5. Songe
6. Kemake
7. Comment Ca Va?
8. Ya Solo
9. My Own Zero
10. M'Toto
11. Gbo Mata [Station)
12. 'Allo 'Allo

Album Description

Zap to the Future A Ma Zone is a collision of sound and culture

Running the gamut from soul to hip hop to drum & bass, Marie Daulne's Zap Mama is expanding the perameters once again with their fourth album A Ma Zone. With the help of people like Philly's hip hop dissidents The Roots ("Rafiki", "Songe"), This Kid Named Miles ("Kemake") who was featured on T-Love's incredible Return of the B-Girl EP last year, Speech ("M'toto") and the oft-sampled Camaroonian Soul-Makossa sax man Manu Dibango ("Allo, Allo"). Zap Mama pulls off an amazing balancing act, riding the fine line between the deep roots of Afropea,the newest continent, and the technology of the future.

A Ma Zone is Marie Daulne's full immersion into the music that kept her breakdancing through high school. Reuniting long lost sounds - West African guimbiri meets West Coast hip-hop scratching - and introducing them to the big city and village fire respectively. And because hip-hop and African music were both part of her childhood, Marie's fusion of zouk guitar montunos with raw breakbeats immediately makes sense. She always preferred listen ing to Stevie Wonder and Run DMC: "Our mother would make us learn the polyphonic singing, but at the time we thought it was boring because it was traditional." Instead, Marie honed her beautifully distinct vocal skills through imitation of the sultry voice of Roberta Flack and the lip-smacking beats of the Fat Boys' "Human Beat Box."

A Ma Zone marks a lyrical shift for Marie, from politics to the social shortcomings of modern society with the emphasis being placed on the dehumanizing effects of modern communication. Marie explains: "Everybody's in such a hurry these days that everything has to be done by telephone or over the information superhighway." A Ma Zone offers listeners an alternative to life at 56k.

We've told you too much already. All you need to know is that this record is a cool R n B, hip-hop gourmet salad. An afro-euro caviar, champagne and funk mixture. "I want to show of the rest of the world the power, the human capacity, through the voices and the sounds that people forgot, the sounds people made during the day, every day . All the sounds made by humans, instinctually , the sounds can relax people, can give energy, harmonies can make you cry. The universal sounds made by humans - American, European, Asian , African, Indian, Australian and Indonesian... laughing, swallowing, coughing." Let us not forget the beautiful sound of a press release being crumpled up either.

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful and original CD.......2007-06-29

I bought this CD several years ago when I was living in the Bay Area of California. It really grew on me, and was one of the few CD's that I listen to all the way through. Every song on the A Ma Zone drew me in and made me feel like I was listening to an entire story, instead of a musical CD. A Ma Zone is made up of a number original sounding and intriquing songs. It is a good buy and I would recommend it to all.

Almost 3 months..........2007-03-27

and I haven't received the CD's that I bought.
What happened? I don't know; but I bought them on December 27, 2006 and we are on march 26!!!
So what do I have to do to get them...?

Ignacio Beorlegui

A Ma Masterpiece.......2007-02-05

This album is timeless. Every track is interesting. I hear something new every time I listen to it. I've heard that Marie has issues with being classified as world music. I will always file Zap Mama under soul because listening to it is like a massage for the soul. Peace.

A Ma Zone by Zap Mama.......2005-12-02

"A Ma Zone" THE FIRST VERSION is one of the best CDs ever made. My saddness was when I ordered some of these as gifts and found out that the new version is NOT AS GOOD :(

The second version has another song first, insteaad of Rafiki. But the worst part is that the second version sound quality is really muffled and bad.

Does anyone have a copy of the original version of this CD, the one that has "Rafiki" as its first track, that they would sell???

YET ANOTHER EXCELLENT ZAP MAMA CD!!.......2005-04-28

This is the third excellent review that I have given a Zap Mama Cd. If you listen to one of her cds, you will be 'Zapped' and want to check out her other cds. She is consistent in combining super R&B/funk with music and sounds from all over the world. She is SO VERY CONSISTENT IN MAKING GOOD, ORIGIONAL, CREATIVE SONGS that you don't get sick of hearing after 2 or 3 times. TIGHT..TIGHT..TIGHT CD....PEACE.

Average customer rating: hot mamas 6 stars Too Much Euro, Needs More Afro Beyond Simple Classification tribal trip-hop

A Ma Zone Zap Mama Manufacturer: Luaka Bop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Belgium | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sabsylma 7 Adventures in Afropea, Vol. 1 Push It to the Max EP Les Nubians Presents Echos, Chapter One ASIN: B00001ZSTL Release Date: 1999-10-19

Tracks:

1. Iko-Iko
2. Rofiki
3. W'happy Mama
4. Call Waiting
5. Gisse
6. Songe
7. Kemoke
8. Comment Co Vo
9. Ya Solo
10. My Own Zero
11. M'oto
12. Gbo Mata (Station)
13. 'Allo 'Allo
14. Rofiki (Original Mix)

Amazon.com

On their fourth album, Zap Mama slide even further away from their early manifestation as a cappella group singing the traditional pygmy chants of West Africa--but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Enlisting notable Philly hip-hop artists the Roots as well African pop star Manu Dibango, Zap Mama blend the traditional singing for which they gained notoriety with the modern beats of drum & bass and hip-hop. The mix steams up a breathy, sensual brand of Euro-African-American pop. "Comment Ça Va?" swivels in and out of slow hip-hop beats; dark, twanging oudlike bass; and lead singer Marie Daulne's delicate vocals. "'Allo 'Allo" goes light on the sax and heavy on the hook, bringing a funky, playful edge to the collection. "Kemake" grooves understatedly with organ and a soulful, spinning vocal, demonstrating this group's diversified sound. The upbeat French Afro-hip-hop of Les Nubians Zap Mama are not: these women entice with a subtle, underground sound that's all their own. --Karen K. Hugg

Customer Reviews:

hot mamas.......2003-07-30

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.

6 stars.......2003-02-10

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.

Too Much Euro, Needs More Afro.......2002-10-23

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.

Beyond Simple Classification.......2002-06-28

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, "Gissié" 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.

tribal trip-hop.......2002-05-06

This CD which I do not consider hip-hop is a tribal trip-hop. Each song is rich and stands alone without relying on a particular "style" On one track she even has a bjork infusion. I love this CD!

Average customer rating: hot mamas 6 stars Too Much Euro, Needs More Afro Beyond Simple Classification tribal trip-hop

Ma Zone Zap Mama Manufacturer: Emi ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sabsylma 7 Adventures in Afropea, Vol. 1 Push It to the Max EP Les Nubians Presents Echos, Chapter One ASIN: B00000JZSQ Release Date: 1999-07-28

Tracks:

1. 'Allo 'Allo
2. Rafiki
3. Call Waiting
4. Songe
5. Yepe
6. W'Happy Mama
7. Gbo Mata (Station)
8. Kemake
9. M'Toto
10. Ya Solo
11. Comment Ca Va?
12. My Own Zero

Amazon.com

On their fourth album, Zap Mama slide even further away from their early manifestation as a cappella group singing the traditional pygmy chants of West Africa--but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Enlisting notable Philly hip-hop artists the Roots as well African pop star Manu Dibango, Zap Mama blend the traditional singing for which they gained notoriety with the modern beats of drum & bass and hip-hop. The mix steams up a breathy, sensual brand of Euro-African-American pop. "Comment Ça Va?" swivels in and out of slow hip-hop beats; dark, twanging oudlike bass; and lead singer Marie Daulne's delicate vocals. "'Allo 'Allo" goes light on the sax and heavy on the hook, bringing a funky, playful edge to the collection. "Kemake" grooves understatedly with organ and a soulful, spinning vocal, demonstrating this group's diversified sound. The upbeat French Afro-hip-hop of Les Nubians Zap Mama are not: these women entice with a subtle, underground sound that's all their own. --Karen K. Hugg

Customer Reviews:

hot mamas.......2003-07-30

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.

6 stars.......2003-02-10

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.

Too Much Euro, Needs More Afro.......2002-10-23

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.

Beyond Simple Classification.......2002-06-28

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, "Gissié" 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.

tribal trip-hop.......2002-05-06

This CD which I do not consider hip-hop is a tribal trip-hop. Each song is rich and stands alone without relying on a particular "style" On one track she even has a bjork infusion. I love this CD!

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