A Ma Zone

Last updated
A Ma Zone
A Ma Zone.jpg
Studio album by
Released1999
Label Luaka Bop [1]
Producer Marie Daulne
Zap Mama chronology
7
(1997)
A Ma Zone
(1999)
Push It to the Max EP
(2002)

A Ma Zone is an album by the group Zap Mama, released in 1999. [2] [3] The group supported the album with a North American tour. [4] The first single was "Rafiki". [5]

Contents

Production

Produced by frontwoman Marie Daulne, the album was recorded in part in the United States; Daulne was influenced by techno. [6] [7] [8] The group, which included Daulne's sister, Anita, sang in Swahili and French, among other languages. [9] [10]

Manu Dibango played saxophone on "'Allo 'Allo". [11] Black Thought rapped on "Rafiki". [12] Speech also appeared on the album. [13]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Calgary Herald Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
Robert Christgau Rating-Christgau-dud.svg [16]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [18]
Spin 7/10 [19]

The Washington Post noted that "actual drums and bass ... now underpin the group's sound, but this album shifts the emphasis back toward interwoven female voices." [20] Entertainment Weekly praised the "strong central voice—main Mama Marie Daulne—anchoring a rare album that’s both global and personal." [18] The Chicago Tribune thought that A Ma Zone "taps into electronica, funk and folk with an inspired, gimmick-free dexterity." [21]

Spin determined that "at points, the gorgeously arranged vocal interplay suggests pan-rap paradise." [19] The Calgary Herald concluded that "Zap Mama has lost a little of its originality, a little of its uniqueness—or perhaps its funky sound is simply more familiar in the global musical melting pot." [15] Newsday stated that the "sound is an ethereal tumble of synthesizers and other instruments, anchored by muscular, percussive beats." [22]

AllMusic wrote that "breakbeats, jazzy upright bass, and turntable manipulation are now a part of the mix—a mix that was already rich with European and West African influences." [14]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Rafiki" 
2."W'Happy Mama" 
3."Call Waiting" 
4."Gissié" 
5."Songe" 
6."Kemake" 
7."Comment Ça Va?" 
8."Ya Solo" 
9."My Own Zero" 
10."M'Toto" 
11."Gbo Mata (Station)" 
12."'Allo 'Allo" 

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References

  1. "Zap Mama". Trouser Press. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  2. "Zap Mama Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. Hart, Ron (Oct 18, 1999). "Must Hear". CMJ New Music Report. 60 (639): 3.
  4. Hay, Carla (Oct 9, 1999). "ZAPPED IN THE ZONE". Billboard. 111 (41): 26.
  5. Oumano, Elena (Oct 16, 1999). "Luaka/Virgin in 'Zone' for 4th Zap Mama set". Billboard. 111 (42): 1, 100.
  6. Bast, Philip (30 Dec 1999). "Zap Mama A Ma Zone". Waterloo Region Record. p. D6.
  7. Plantenga, Bart (September 13, 2013). "Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World". Routledge via Google Books.
  8. Robertson, Gail (21 Oct 1999). "Zap Mama blends cultures". Windsor Star. p. E8.
  9. Heckman, Don (5 Nov 1999). "Zap Mama Stays True to Founder's Roots". Los Angeles Times. p. F22.
  10. Casey, Vicki Gilmer (17 Oct 1999). "World". Star Tribune. p. 19F.
  11. Margasak, Peter (September 7, 2000). "Zap Mama". Chicago Reader.
  12. Pratt, Sarah (Nov 1999). "New Music". CMJ New Music Monthly (75): 17.
  13. Moon, Tom (15 Oct 1999). "A BAND THAT CAN ZAP MUSICAL BORDERS". FEATURES WEEKEND. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 15.
  14. 1 2 "Zap Mama - A Ma Zone Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
  15. 1 2 Boettcher, Shelley (9 Sep 1999). "Zap Mama A Ma Zone". Calgary Herald. p. HL20.
  16. "Robert Christgau: CG: Zap Mama". www.robertchristgau.com.
  17. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 859.
  18. 1 2 "A Ma Zone". EW.com.
  19. 1 2 Dolan, Jon (Jan 2000). "Reviews". Spin. 16 (1): 124, 126.
  20. "ZAP MAMA 'A Ma Zone'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  21. Reger, Rick (22 Oct 1999). "THE A LIST". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 31.
  22. Lipp, Marty (7 Oct 1999). "ON THE RECORD". Newsday. p. D26.