Customer Reviews

A Ma Zone

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this CD a couple years ago, but didn't really start listening to it until recently. This CD gets lumped in with "world" music because of its african feel, but this is a slight misnomer. Most people who think of "world" music think of something that should be a soundtrack on National Geographic Explorer. This is so much more than that. All of the instrumentation contained in this album give you an idea of the talent involved, and the songs each have their own mood. I enjoy the lyrical stylings of "Rafiki" and the high-flying vocals and moodiness "My Own Zero". Worth every penny!

I'm a huge fan of Zap Mama. After seeing them perform live at the New Orleans Jazz fest I had to buy 7 and I didn't think they could improve upon that album. Well I was wrong, A Ma Zone is just as good if not better. I let a friend borrow it and never got it back. If it were any other CD I probably would have said forget it. But that CD was so nice I had to buy it twice. All of the tracks are awsome but my favorites are, Call Waiting, Ya Solo, Comment CaVa, and Gbo Mata. Definitely a must buy!!!

"A Ma Zone," Zap Mama's fourth album, is a thematic change from their third, the sublime "7". Unlike that album, with its political undertones and strong cultural messages, "A Ma Zone" is an optimistic view of what false intellectuals now call Afropea.

This new optimism proves a thematic reversion and a musical continuation. Zap Mama continues the transformation it began on "7" from an a cappella chorus to a Belgo-Zairoise hip-hop group. But it reverts back to "Sabsylama" and their self-titled release in its presentation of the world as fun and beautiful.

This mix is interesting, but a little boring. Where "7" fused strong beats and stronger opinions, many of the messages on "A Ma Zone" are banal, making the song so as well. One example: the pointless ballad "My Own Zero," with romantic musings like "You are important to me." The silly lyrics degrade the music.

But this is only one weakness on an otherwise strong album. Though weak in comparison to its own past, "A Ma Zone" is still superior to the girl-group albums that appear from all over now.

A MA ZONE is definitely the most mainstream of their albums so far, but it doesn't completely stray from the more vocally driven sound of their earlier albums. It's also arguably their most eclectic set to date.

"Call Waiting" sounds like a perfect James Bond theme song with an Afrocentric twist. It's also a good showcase for Marie Daulne's passionate vocals.

For fans of Zap Mama's early work, "Gissié" is a real gem. The vocal interplay on the track is really nice. "M'Toto" is another fine track with playful vocals that sound like they are singing a nursery rhyme.

"'Allo 'Allo" has a mellow, but funky vibe that for obvious reasons sounds like a reworking of Manu Dibango's 1970's classic "Soul Makossa." "Kemake" is also very funky with a serious James Brown vibe.

Generally, all of the tracks are at least good, if not great. Adventurous hip-hop fans should really like this album. Fans of their a capella sound might be a bit disappointed. For most broadminded music fans, this CD is definitely worth a serious listen. It's better than 99% of the stuff you hear on commercial music stations.

Check it out.

The music and the beats are infectous. The chants and intertwined vocals are unique. These ladies are incredible at using their voices as instruments, and combining their sounds at the same time. Some of the tracks that try to be almost totally Western/American are a little lackluster, but all in all they have created a special place I will visit often- (the A Ma Zone?)

This is the best musical discovery you'll make this year. I impulsively bought this without having heard it before because 'Seven' was really good- 'Ma Zone' is even better. Now, I've recommended this album to friends and family (grandma and hip young sister alike), representing a diverse range of music tastes and everyone's been bewitched. Great blending of vocal harmonies, expressive instrumentation and funky beats.

"A Ma Zone" THE FIRST VERSION is one of the best CDs ever made. My saddness was when I ordered some of these as gifts and found out that the new version is NOT AS GOOD :(

The second version has another song first, insteaad of Rafiki. But the worst part is that the second version sound quality is really muffled and bad.

Does anyone have a copy of the original version of this CD, the one that has "Rafiki" as its first track, that they would sell???

My sister told me about this cd - and at first i was like "Whatever." But its by far the coolest CD i've heard in a long time! Its in a class of its own - mixng the enchanting french with its fast afro pop rythems. Its perfect for a long trip to the beach, a short walk to the pool or a mello moody monday. The music releases mental troubles - it relaxes you - and now adays thats hard to find. Rafiki, W'hoppy Mama, and Comment Ca Va really dish out the grooves on this CD. Its worth every cent, and its a buy that you won't regret.

All that I can say is "wow"! I first heard A Ma Zone during a dance concert in which the song "W'Happy Mama" was used in a number. The music combined with the vocals where so totally infectious that I was completely mesmorized. I had never heard of an all female quintet singing with such grace and power. I tell you, it was like I could breathe again...after being conditioned to other female groups like Destiny's Child and Blaque with their conformed voices and weak messages...I am changed for life!

This is the third excellent review that I have given a Zap Mama Cd. If you listen to one of her cds, you will be 'Zapped' and want to check out her other cds. She is consistent in combining super R&B/funk with music and sounds from all over the world. She is SO VERY CONSISTENT IN MAKING GOOD, ORIGIONAL, CREATIVE SONGS that you don't get sick of hearing after 2 or 3 times. TIGHT..TIGHT..TIGHT CD....PEACE.