Customer Reviews

Wake Up & Dream

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Many people have never explored Qkumba Zoo beyond their hit single, "The Child Inside", which appeared on many dance compilations, and recently was (unfortunetly) used in commercials. But beyond the surface of this song lies a band truly unique in every way.

The original trio behind QZoo - Levannah, Owl, and Tziki - originate from South Africa, which highly influences their music. For instance, the song "Weeping" is written about apartheid. The entire album takes a peek into the soul, and into life beyond how most of us view it. Their entire feel, all the way down to their look, is meant to provoke the mind. (Seeing them in action in the Child Inside music video is incredible!)

Qkumba Zoo's music, on this album in particular, is very dancey. Upbeat songs like the leading tune "Rain" and "Time of Wonder" leave you feeling happy, while slower, softer ones such as "Cloud Eyes" give off more of a wistful glow. Owl mixes amazing sounds throughout each song, complimenting Levannah's unique and trilling voice, which has a language all its own.

If you truly enjoy this music, you may want to try hunting down their second album "Butterfly Peepl" (under the shortened name "QZoo"). It is even more powerful than the first, considering they went through many changes themselves (losing Tziki to suicide being one of them). It doesn't contain such a heavy dance beat throughout the CD, and gives off the vibe of metamorphosis. :) I haven't heard of anyone being lucky in snagging a copy since their official site went down; I actually find myself making copies for diehard fans.

All in all, Qkumba Zoo is my favorite group in the entire world, and have been so for nearly 10 years now. They have inspired SO much within my life, especially my future career in art. While that may not exactly help you decide to buy this or not, I have to impress that this album should be given a chance. Grab a copy while you can! You can surely buy it for less than $5 online, even though the music included is worth much more than that.

Anyone who has seen a commercial for Six Flags Marine World in 2003 has heard the techno music they use. Qkumba Zoo is the band, and the song is "The Child Inside."

This is a fantastic techno disc with a strong tribal/african theme. All the tracks are good, with the notables being "The Child Inside, Big, Weeping," and "Time of Wonder." It certainly bears similarity to Yaz, a fast Enigma or Era, but while being familiar, it retains a unique sound. I recommend going to Arista Records website to listen to samples. Any samples from this will be indicative of the overall sound/quality.

This is a really great CD. I was rediscovering my CD collection this weekend and thought that this would cheer up my work day...it worked! Anyway, I researched a little bit and found that the group has become a duo and changed their name to Qzoo in 2000 and came out with another CD called "butterfly peepl" but I can't seem to find it.

It seems like ages since the last time I listened to this cd but I recently brought "Wake Up and Dream" to the office and rediscovered the joys of this wonderful cd. What compelled me to listen to "Wake Up and Dream" was the commercial for Sea World in which they use the song "The Child (Inside)", a wonderful pop/dance song with beautiful harmonies. After listening to the cd, I fell in love again with the fusion of pop, dance with African tribal beats. The lyrics and melodies flow so well together. Nothing negative whatsoever in the lyrics or about the cd. I especially loved the gorgeous ballad "Weeping". It brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to the song. I simply adore the positive, uptempo song "Big". I recently read that Tziki (I think it was her), the back up vocalist, had taken her own life a few years ago. What a shame. Another shame is how "Wake Up and Dream" wasn't embraced by the American public. This is one of the best pop albums around. There is so much positive energy in this cd. The spirituality expressed in the lyrics sends chills down my spine as I listen to songs like "Big Motherland" and "Weeping". Truly a hidden gem.

Many many moons ago I saw this CD but I passed it up for a Carcass CD. Years later I saw this SeaWorld commercial with this really cool song playing in the background. After the commercial was over I did a little internet digging to find out what band that was. I was stunned to see it was that same band I passed long ago. So, I finally got my hands on a copy. I have to say this is a great GREAT CD. It's rare that I enjoy all the songs on any of my CDs, but this one is an exception. All over great CD. Great mix of dance/pop and tribal. This is one of those Gems you find once in a while.

This band, especially this CD is definitely worth the money. I highly recommend it and I'm very sorry that I didn't pick this up years ago when I saw it.

By the way, the Carcass CD I picked up "Swansong"...yeah, it was terrible.

Just incase you were wondering.

This CD didn't make it big in the US. I think it was because of lack of promotion because it is truly one of the best CD's of the 90's. This is one of my top CDs ever. You will be surprised how great this group is. Mixing dance and ballads, this group achieves a very unique and moving sound unheard anywhere else. A perfect blending of art, spirituality and music. Every song is rich, well written and will keep you humming for days. Sad that it wasn't a big hit like it should have been. Hopefully this is not the last we will hear of this great group.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A MUSIC FAN FOR CLOSE TO 38 YEARS-AND WHO WORKED IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS FOR 10 YEARS-IT IS EASY FOR ME TO SAY THAT THIS CD IS ONE OF THE TOP 10 CDs OF ALL TIME!!!!

This is one of those CD's that makes me happy each time I listen to it. (The first time I heard it, I was up dancing around my apartment like a maniac!) ;8^) Imagine Peter Gabriel, Deep Forest, Enya and Debbie Harry all mixed together. Tribal sounds, siren chants, positive lyrics and energetic dance beats bordering on techno/electronica. This is how dance music should sound. One of my top 10 CD's of all time.

I was surprised to see how this group did not catch on in the States. From South Africa, the music blends interesting beats and melodies for a distinctive sound. Simply put, this is one of my favorite CD's.

I couldn't believe that a CD so obscure could be so good. Everyone I've had listen to it loves it and went out and bought a copy for themselves. Both the two female vocalists and the male vocalist have excellent harmony together, and both the music and the lyrics are uplifting and cheerful. Tribal rhythms set the CD apart from most techno/electronica.