ZAP MAMA - ANCESTRY IN PROGRESS

Let me tell you about this new Zap Mama CD. I love it-- er, am in love with it. It took me about two weeks to realize there was an actual CD in the case, I was so enamored with the packaging. It’s the most beautifully designed packaging I’ve seen all year. Then there’s the cover, with it’s big, beautiful picture of Zap Mama visionary Marie Daulne. She is so pretty. And she’s just staring at you in the picture, hypnotizing you, making you fall in love with her.

Can you imagine my surprise when I actually got past all this and played the actual CD? It was like falling in love all over again. I’ve never heard a Zap Mama CD before. And why is that? I love this album. Are they all like this? Zap Mama fans, lemme know.

Ancestry in Progress is the funkiest, most beautiful day you could listen to. The kind of album you want singing out of your headphones while you sleep out in the sun. The music is a mix of Soulquarian-esque funk and eleven secret international herbs and spices, with Daulne’s sweet voice as its dancing partner.

It’s best enjoyed from start to finish, like an album should be, but certain songs will stick in your head: “Bandy Bandy” is one of them. Cellos and birds introduce the beautiful back-and-forth between Daulne and Erykah Badu. “Show Me The Way” is another. Bahamadia, Lady Alma, and ?uestlove join Daulne in making the rhythmic lovechild of Tito Puente and Fela Kuti. And “Miss Q’N” and “Alright” will cradle you in the palm of their mellow hands while Daulne’s voice weaves soulful little yarns around you.

Ancestry in Progress is my starting point for exploring Zap Mama’s back catalog. If you already know their history, add this newest chapter to it.