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Album Details

• Artist: Zap Mama
• Album: Ancestry In Progress
• Label: Luaka Bop
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-11-19

It has been a few years since we have heard from Marie Daulne and the Zap Mama collective. Actually, 5 years have passed since we have seen a Zap mama album. Now, if you haven't heard Zap Mama and are expecting a total world beat affair, you might be better off expecting more an R&B or Urban sound. You may have seen Zap Mama on other hip hop compilations providing some amazing lyrics: Common, King Britt, and Erykah Badu (who helps out on "Bandy Bandy"). Ancestry In Progress has a lot of Roots connections as well. This album reminds me quite a bit of something Erika Badu would do, except for the occasional singing in French. We get a total world feel on quite a few tracks though. Have a listen to "Vivre" for a good example of how worldly Zap Mama can sound. And on the urban side of things, have a listen to "Sweet Melody", a track that you would have a hard time topping with current R&B artists. On "Yaku" I even hear a little bit of Bjork win Marie's voice. Zap Mama is a diverse listen and one of the best world/urban releases I have listened to this year. I could listen to Ancestry In Progress over and over.

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