Zap Mama

Little did Zap Mama know that their 2000 collaboration with the Roots on "Rafiki" would change their direction so much. While their pygmy vocal tricks and a cappella virtuosity are intact, these days it's all about hip-hop. ?uestlove, Erykah Badu, Bahamadia, Common and Talib Kweli make appearances on bass-heavy tracks like "Vivre," "Yelling Away" and "Show Me the Way."

Formerly a pan-African-minded a cappella group, Zap Mama are now the province of Marie
Daulne, whose training in Pygmy onomatopoeia goes well with her sultry vocals. But
despite rap cameos and world-beat sound effects, the grooves are as bland as bad neosoul,
and the songs sound like bundles of self-consciously eclectic singing.

Pygmies and babies sing the African diaspora that is her life ("Whatdidusay?" "Zap Bébés"). (Grade - ***)