Ancestry in Progress

Zap Mama

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2004)
• Original Release Date: September 14, 2004
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Luaka Bop
• ASIN: B0002SPQ40
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,425 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Longtime Zap Mama fans may take issue with the direction Marie Daulne has taken the band. After starting out as a women’s a capella group, Daulne started integrating instruments, rappers and programming on Seven, taking it even further on A Ma Zone. Now on Ancestry In Progress, the first ZM album in five years, it's Daulne with help from the Roots, Common, Erykah Badu, Taleb Kweli and others from the hip-hop and R&B community. Nonetheless, the band was always Daulne's, and she's in complete command here again. You still get to wonder at her ability to create weird vocal sounds. Her high raspy cat-like voice is as playful and rhythmic as ever, and her sense of harmony stills draws upon her African roots even if she chooses to put samples over the top. No doubt "Sweet Melody" is one of Daulne's catchiest songs, but other standouts include "Vivre" and "Bandy Bandy." Instead of the African jungle we get the urban jungle, but it's still beautiful music. –-Tad Hendrickson

Product Description
The initial run of "Ancestry in Progress" will feature a bonus disc with four exclusive tracks!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Melodious and funky, February 18, 2005

By	Scott D. Nelson "www.sewerden.com" (South Bend, IN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is simply a fantastic album. From the melodious tunes of "Sweet Melody" and "Bandy Bandy" to the funky ones of "Vivre" and "Wadidusay", there's certainly something on this album to catch the hearts of R&B and hip-hop lovers alike.

This album was my first exposure to Zap Mama, and it made quite the first impression. I'll be eagerly watching for a U.S. tour.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sweet melodies..., February 16, 2005

By	roozta (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

I loves this album. It's got great vocals as always from Zap Mama, some nice melodies and cool ass beats. Nice tracks all the way through. I go through a lot of CDs from many genres (R&B, Hip Hop, world, Dub, rock, reggae, Drum & Bass, asian massive), usualy I keep a new album in my car for about a month, this one has been in my car for months and I have a feeling it will stay there for a while. My favorite album in the past year.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the Funk Without the Filth, April 1, 2005

By	Mitchell Small (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's been a long dry spell since Amazone and this is worth the wait. The album is clearly a follow-up to Amazone, yet the style is refined a little more, so it is not simply Amazone II, the Sequel.

Each composition here is like a little window opening on a slice of life. The blending of the languages brings home, yet again, the universality of music. There are differences between peoples, but this difference is something to share and enjoy, not to separate us into disparate spaces. Whatever your background, you can feel a part of the scenes presented.

The spoken words take me back to the beginning of what is now called rap, to true street corner poetry. Unlike most of today's rap, there are no words you don't want young kids to hear. Instead of degrading women and reducing them to objects to be abused, we are instead reminded that "She is someone's daughter" and to be revered as she is made of "Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water". No malice, no hatred, only love of the highest order. Pure poetry, not gutter rap.

The vocals are perfectly blended and the harmonies are tight. These women blend together a vocal synergy that must be heard to be experienced. The rhythms, capable of standing alone, reinforce the musical magic woven into the tapestry of their sound.

If you truly believe we are one people spread across a small planet, this album will speak to your soul. If you've never been exposed to music like this, you'll be amazed. If you're already a fan of Zap Mama, you won't be disappointed.