Live Video: Zap Mama “Abadou”
Zap Mama is a musical group that was founded in 1989 by Belgian and Congolese singer Marie Daulne. The group has released seven albums that span a vast array of genres, touching upon West African vocal arrangements and Western European and American R&B, jazz and hip hop. Daulne’s Zap Mama has taken on several forms since its inception, but none has achieved the critical acclaim of the original A Capella quintet featured on her 1993 debut Adventures in Afropea 1.
The record was initially released in Europe as a self-titled LP, before being reissued stateside as Adventures in Afropea 1 on David Byrne’s Luaka Bop Records. By the end of 1993, the album was Billboard’s top-seller in the “world music” genre. Adventures in Afropea 1 and follow-up Sabsylma draw most directly from the pygmy harmonies found in Daulne’s West-African roots. Though Zap Mama’s fame is relatively limited in terms of mass audience, the project’s influence continues to be felt in the vocal stylings of artists like Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs and Kristin Newborn of KO.
The video clip found below is taken from Zap Mama’s 1997 appearance on the short-lived PBS musical variety show Sessions at West 54th. The song “Abadou” is featured on Adventures in Afropea 1.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Unknown Mortal Orchestra “Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)”
I’m not entirely sure how this one passed me by a few weeks ago, but better late than never, right? Personal favorites of mine, Portland’s Unknown Mortal Orchestra are currently touring with a so-so band called Grizzly Bear (kidding!). Oh yeah, they just happen to be rolling through Cincinnati this Friday night at the MidPoint Music Festival which the Thought On Tracks team will be uniting together to attend. Rumored to be putting together their sophomore effort after their still rotation-worthy self-titled debut last year, the band is releasing “Swim and Sleep (Like A Shark)” via a limited edition, tour-only 7”. Scope the track below via the YouTube (Sorry, Iran! Not for you!).
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Written by Greg Dahman
Fresh Track: Cold Cave “A Little Death to Laugh”
NYC’s Cold Cave dropped the first single from their new 7″ this morning. The track is entitled “A Little Death to Laugh” and can be streamed via the YouTube clip below. The 7″ is available through the band’s website and physical copies will be on hand at the band’s fall tour dates (see below). Wesley Eisold and friends will be playing Indianapolis alongside Divine Fits on October 26 at Deluxe at Old National Centre. Grab tickets via MOKB Presents.
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Tour Dates
Solo Shows:
10/18 San Diego @ Casbah
10/20 Los Angeles @ The Getty
10/27 Moogfest
Supporting Divine Fits:
10/21 NYC @ Webster
10/22 Philadelphia @ Union Transfer
10/24 Columbus @ Newport
10/25 Chicago @ Logan Sq
10/26 Indy @ Deluxe
10/28 Raleigh @ Lincoln
10/29 Atlanta @ Terminal West
10/31 Austin @ Stubb’s
11/01 Marfa @ Padres (or TBA)
11/02 Tucson @ Rock
11/03 Pioneertown @ Pappy & Harriet’s
11/04 Los Angeles @ Fonda
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 