AMG Review of Zao

Carl Hoyt
All Music Guide

Zao is Casimir Zoba, a Congolese humorist -- actually I would say satirist is more accurate (he sings largely in French). Zao stands for Zero-Admis-Omnipresent and his music is sweet and slinky, a perfect compliment to his husky, intimate voice. This is a fine CD overall, but it also includes his 1985 hit "Ancien Combattant," one of the most scathing and yet beautiful songs I've ever heard. As John Storm Roberts says, he has strong similarities to Francis Bebey.