Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Zap Mama - ReCreation


This is Marie Daulne’s 7th album with her group Zap Mama. From the original five-voice a cappella ensemble Zap Mama has evolved into an eclectic global mix of artists and styles. Daulne has developed a uniquely exciting multi-cultural musical language even as her very changeable life has swirled around her. She was born in The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) to a Bantu mother and Belgian father. After her father was killed by rebels she was rescued by Pygmies, evacuated by Belgian paratroopers and raised in Belgium...MORE

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Marion Meadows - Secrets


Marion Meadows likes to keep it real, and on his new CD, Secrets (Heads Up International) it is: real jazz, real smooth and most of all real artists. Although it is a studio album, he wanted it to have as much of a live feel as possible; so tech tricks are kept to a minimum. While there is some drum programming, it is done here better than most. And the players, rather than studio musicians brought in just for the recording gig, are for the most part artists who perform with Mr. Meadows on regular basis. Six of the 12 cuts (1, 2, 4, 5, 8 & 10) are written and produced by keyboardist and frequent Meadows partner (since In Deep, 2002), Michael Boening and all six feature Meadows with Boening on keyboard, Freddie Fox on guitar and Mel Brown on bass...MORE