Search - Zap Mama :: Adventures in Afropea 1

A world journey awaits.

Edward Crawford | Randolph, MA United States | 02/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The cd is simple. Simple cover art, and all the performers are using their voice. It's a cd that flows great. This is unlike anything else in my collection. You get sounds and chants from Africa and Europe, with some English thrown in. Just sit back, relax and let the sounds take you where they may. The sounds do sound familiar in a way. This is probably the best way I can describe this cd. Most other music is easy to review, but you just have to experience this cd."

Brrlak! This album is din din divine.....

D. Pawl | Seattle | 06/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know, shameless puns derived from the song titles. Anyway, I couldn't think of a better way to express the delight I have for this album everytime I play it in my stereo! Zap Mama's style is hard to describe. It is a fusion of sounds. We have improvisational harmonies, chants, latin elements, a pygmy chant and African-derived percussion and rhythms. But, guess what? The only instruments are the voices of the five magnificent women who are Zap Mama. Some of my favorite tracks are "Brrrlak!" (hence, the title of my review), "Abadou (a Syrian song about a man crying over the loss of his favorite woman from his harem)," "Din Din (an original, abbreviated interpretation of a traditional Spanish song from the 16th century)," and "Guzophela (an anti-apartheid song)." Not only do these women have a flair for harmony, intepretation and unbridled spontaneity, they are also fine artists. I am so glad that this innovative musical quintet has continued to perform and collaborate together. Can't wait to hear the other albums!
Check it out!"

Afro-pop with bits of disco, doo-wop, madrigal, Arab lament.

Frank Camm | Northern Virginia | 03/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wide variety of styles for sweet African voices, all distinct from one another. Most songs draw on Afro-pop, but they capture bits of disco, doo-wop, madrigal, and Arab lament. Some are more sound effects than songs. Some are static chants without real lyrics. One or two are too sweet. The closest parallel is Sweet Honey in the Rock, but Zap Mama is uniformly happier, lighter, even on Apartheid songs. Sample of variety: tr 1-Mupepe (closest to ethnographic); tr 6-Plekete (closest to Bobs); tr 9-Din din (sounds like a madrigal); tr 11-Guzophela (South African doo-wop). Stand-outs: tr 5-Take me CoCo. tr 13-Marie-Josée (classic polyrhythmic, sweet Afro-pop). tr 14-Ndje Mukanie (Afro-pop rich and smooth as herbed honey)."