We close our program today with music by Zap Mama. Zap Mama is the band and alter-ego for Marie Daulne.

She's a singer and songwriter born in Congo, and raised in Belgium. This track "Hello to Mama" is the first single from Zap Mama's new album. The humanitarian group CARE joined forces with Zap Mama on "Hello to Mama."

The song honors mothers around the globe.

Proceeds from it go to CARE's efforts to reduce maternal mortality rates in the world's poorest countries.

Zap Mama hopes this song will raise awareness.

"Hello to Mama" is one of thirteen new songs on Zap Mama's new album ReCreation.

Marie Daulne has made a career of fusing central African rhythms and grooves with American soul and funk.

Her vocals can get breathy.

But on this track, she's enlisted French actor Vincent Cassel to do the heavy breathing.

Zap Mama is kicking off a series of concerts at Joe's Pub in New York.

She plays there tonight.

Upcoming Shows:

4/3/2009 - Capetown Jazz Festival - Capetown
5/2/2009 - WDR Radio Show - Cologne, Germany
5/27/2009 - Joe's Pub - New York, NY
5/28/2009 - Joe's Pub - New York, NY
5/29/2009 - Joe's Pub - New York, NY
6/17/2009 - El Rey - Los Angeles, CA
6/18/2009 - Bimbo's - San Francisco, CA
6/19/2009 - Sierra Nevada World Music Festival - Boonville, CA
6/20/2009 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR
6/21/2009 - Triple Door - Seattle, WA
6/23/2009 - Ann Arbor Summer Fest - Ann Arbor, MI
7/3/2009 - Kongsberg Jazz Festival - Kongsberg, NORWAY
7/5/2009 - Essence Music Festival - New Orleans, LA
8/7/2009 - Lollapallooza - Chicago, IL