Sabsylma

On their second album, Zap Mama expand the stylistic scope of their polycultural a cappella music. It had always had deep roots in both European and African traditions, but here the American influence is stronger than before (note the explicit funkiness of their James Brown tribute “Mr. Brown”) and musical elements from Australia and India filter in as well. As always, bandleader Marie Daulne’s voice is a wonder, but so is the seamless and flexible blend of the group as a whole.