An appreciation for the music that her mother tried to teach came later when Marie returned to Zaire at the age of 18. Hearing the music in its context and re-imagining her past, Marie found new meaning in the syncopated ululations of the Pygmy melodies. Energized by her rediscovery, Marie returned to Belgium ready to share. It was the Zap album Seven that marked an evolution for the strictly a cappella female ensemble with the introduction of instruments and male vocals. But the voice talks to the head.
Instruments talk directly to the body.
When there is a drum, it's the body that understands. I wanted to mix the two. Marie collaborated with Spearhead rapper Michael Franti on Seven and the soundtrack to Blue in the Face, dropping delicious hints at a new direction. I'm very impressed by Timbaland and Missy Elliot. He gave rap something new, and I have something really different than Americans.