Review: Zap Mama – ReCreation (by Ronald Jackson) April 22. 2009 - I have to admit that I don’t visit the area of music that some might regard as an obvious left turn off “Smooth Jazz Ave” as often as I could, but when I do, I usually run into a special treat! Sure, I’ve spent a little time in the land of world music, but this is world music with the kitchen sink thrown in for good measure, and the eclectic result is a production full of extraordinary substance, taste, body, and beauty.
‘ReCreation’ is the latest project from the veteran world band, Zap Mama, fronted by the lovely Congo-born, Belgium-raised multi-talented Marie Daulne (vocals, keys, percussion, on and on)--who is equally as deep a humanitarian as she is a creator of some mean musical vibes (she is an ardent supporter of human rights and works tirelessly fighting global poverty via a number of organizations).
A cornucopia of tastes, ‘ReCreation’ embraces Brazilian, Reggae, Jazz, World and Soul moods. This is just what the doctor ordered for the stressed-out (and God knows there are a bunch of us out here today, given the economic picture here and elsewhere in the world). It ‘s set to hit the streets on May 26, and no doubt, there will be a healthy throng of Daulne/Zap Mama followers watching for this. They won’t be disappointed.
The album is difficult to pigeonhole (good for you, Marie et al!) and even has some really spunky avant garde Jazz moments that you just can’t ignore. Of course, the a cappella vocals are predictably of superior quality. Those familiar with the earlier incarnation of Zap Mama as an all-female a cappella quintet can relive, even in the midst of music this time around, the splendid harmonies as they season such pieces as “Vibrations,” “Singing Sisters,” “Harlem,” and “”Togetherness.” However, not to be outdone, “Hello to Mama,” with all of its exotic rhythm, quickly catapulted to my fav on the album. You should know that it was a true effort to stop dancing in my chair to concentrate on this review while bopping to this one.
As noted in the label's press sheet, over the years, Zap Mama has morphed from an a cappella quintet into the creative vision of one perceptively deep woman surrounded by talent from nearly every corner of the musical landscape. Precisely put and, because of this satisfying eclecticism and diversity, ‘ReCreation’ just oozes magnificence. – by Ronald Jackson
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