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| Details | | Contributing artists: | Manu Dibango, Speech, The Roots | | Distributor: | EMI Music Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | DDD |
Album Notes
Personnel: Manu Dibango (vocals, saxophone); Marie Daulne (vocals, keyboards); Jean Louis Daulne (vocals, gimbri, percussion); Scratch (vocals, scratches); Tanya Saw, Franciose Vidick, Nana Akumu Wakudu, Aningi Bernadette, Anita Daulne, Manou G. Yvette, Hesia, Sabine Habongo, The Roots, Speech, This Kid Named Miles (vocals); Dizzy Mandjeku (guitar); Bilou Doneux (gimbri, percussion); Jean-Pierre Catoul, Carole Duteille (violin); Edouard Thiese (viola); Pierre Michaud (cello); Hans Francken (Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards); Jan De Ryck, Anthony Tidd, Patrick Nuisser (keyboards); Manou N'Guessan Gallo, Nicholas Thys (bass); Ahmir Thompson, Stephane Galland (drums); DJ Grazhoppa (scratches).
Producers: Marie Daulne, Richard Nichols, Yannik Fonderie.
So strange, so funky, so millennial is the colorful creature called Zap Mama. The hip ladies of this vocal-based group have continued to expand on their once-spare accompaniment of the past, with all sorts of electronic bleeps and bloops, funky guitars and organs, and generous stretches of Saturday-night-on-the-drag bass lines. Postmodern a capella-world beat hip-hop, anyone? Here, urban grit and rural African dreamscapes churn together in a sonic texture that looks to the past and future in a single gaze.
Direct from Planet Polyglot, the lyrics are sung seamlessly in English, French and African dialects, taking these tunes to places cosmopolitan and beyond. The slow-burning "Rafiki" features guest raps by the Roots, Fender-Rhodes piano snatches, and a wild melody sung through a flute. "Call Waiting" features Marie Daulne's haunting voice set to light drum-and-bass and the brisk, striking sound of pizzicato violins and an acoustic bass. If the boys of Massive Attack were to grab some djembes and African folk records, hang out with Angelique Kidjo and smile (much) more, the result might sound something like this.
Industry Reviews
Ranked #15 in CMJ's Top 30 Editorial Picks [for 1999].
CMJ (01/10/2000)
7 out of 10 - ...soaks their a cappella roots in a playful ethno-soul masterminded by lead diva Marie Dauline....suggests [a] pan-rap paradise...
Spin (01/01/2000)
...Seamlessly mixes European and African flavors with American R&B to create a jambalaya of sound....With their 1st foray into rap territory, A MA ZONE...is refreshing enough fro hip-hop heads to enjoy.
The Source (06/01/2000)
...There's plenty of world here....And plenty of beat....a strong central voice...anchoring a rare album that's both global and personal. - Rating: B+
Entertainment Weekly (10/29/1999)
...A MA ZONE is an excursion into high energy West African hip hop....sung in various languages, including French....Good fun.
Dirty Linen (04/01/2000)
...On the brilliant A MA ZONE, this renowned female sextant....continues to take its musical approach even further into the urban jungle....This true must-hear has finally brought the beat box into the brave new world.
CMJ (10/18/1999)
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