LIFE WILL BE FINE

WINNER

Outstanding World/Reggae/Ska Recording

2008 Detroit Music Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEGAWAVE Records MEGW 0222

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Zebula Avenue is a seven-piece world music band that writes and performs a global blend of traditional and modern melodies. They are a unique blend of 3-part female harmonies, guitars and mandolin, backed by rich polyrhythms from around the world. Award-winning vocalist and rhythm guitarist Gail Baker penned most of the songs performed by Zebula Avenue. The signature vocal sound of Zebula Avenue is based on the amazing, 3-1/2 octave range of Maureen Honoré, bringing Creole and Panamanian influences to the band. Also on vocals is Maggie McCabe, whose Celtic background and adept mandolin playing adds a high-end sweetness. Bassist Greg Nance brings his Detroit jazz fusion experience. Lead guitarist and artist James Niemi is a proud life-long member of the Ho-Chunk nation and has been on a continued quest for a varied and harmonious life experience. Mahindi Masai, perhaps one of Detroit's most versatile and engaging percussionists, adds an exciting mixture of rhythms from his experience as a folklorist/percussionist of various traditions throughout Africa and the African Diaspora. Well-known Detroit drummer Sandy Lovely rounds out the rhythm section.

 

 

 

Gail Baker, vocals and rhythm guitar

Maureen Honoré, vocals

Maggie McCabe, vocals and mandolin

Mahindi Masai, percussion and vocals

James BrownEagle Niemi, lead guitar and vocals

Greg Nance, bass, synth on "Poor Man's Prayer"

Sandy Lovely, drums and percussion

 

Translators:

Spanish: Pablo, Andrea and Diana Friele

Swahili: Pablo Freile and Carolyn Harper

French: Francois Raymond

 

Credits:

Gail Baker, Tom Rice, Michael Callahan, producers

Maureen Honoré, vocal director

 

Recorded by Tom Rice and Mike Callahan at The Audio Café, Eastpointe, MI

Mastered by Jeffrey Campo at Soweto Productions, Harrison Twp., MI

 

All songs published by Elkridge Music Publishing (ASCAP):

• Yemoja (traditional), additional songwriting ©2006 Maureen Honoré, Mahindi Masai, Gail Baker

• Karibuni ©2001, Gail Baker, Mike Friedman

• Levantame ©2007 Gail Baker

• Jambo © 2006 Gail Baker, Mahindi Masai, Greg Nance, James Niemi, Carolyn Harper

• Hold Me © 2004 Maureen Honoré

• Zebula Avenue ©2006 Jean-Claude Bahounguila-Biza, Maureen Honoré, Mahindi Masai, Greg

Nance, Gail Baker, James Niemi

• Trouble Days © 2006 Gail Baker, Mike Friedman

• Life Will be Fine © 2006 Maureen Honoré

• Teroshige ©2006 Mahindi Masai, James Niemi, Gail Baker, Greg Nance

• I Know a Way ©2006 Maureen Honoré, Gail Baker, Mahindi Masai

• Nothing but Touch © 2006 Gail Baker, Greg Nance, Mike Friedman, Mahindi Masai

• We Were Here (The Native's Song) © 2006 Maureen Honoré

• Poor Man's Prayer ©2006 James Niemi, Maureen Honoré

• Enlace-moi ©2007 Maureen Honoré

• Pick Me Up ©2004 Gail Baker, Greg Nance, Mike Friedman, Maureen Honoré, Mahindi Masai,

Clarence Williams

 

Percussion Used on CD:

Congos, Timbalitos, Bata, Bongos, Shekere', Djembe, Sabar, Tama, Dundun, Abang mbre, Pandero,

Quica, Caxixis, Achinehu, Apinti, Kwakwa Bange, Gankogui, Apitua, Anishinabe Maiingan dodem Drum

 

Cover art, CD art, and Zebula Avenue logo by James Niemi

Photography by Howrani

Layout by John Palmer and Maureen Honoré

 

 

1. Yemoja 3:40

2. Karibuni 4:59

3. Levantame 5:14

4. Jambo 3:03

5. Hold Me 4:31

6. Zebula Avenue 4:04

7. Trouble Days Ahead 3:59

8. Life Will Be Fine 3:54

9. Teroshige 3:54

10. I Know a Way 3:20

11. Nothing but Touch 3:06

12. We Were Here (The Native's Song) 3:14

13. Poor Man's Prayer 4:08

BONUS TRACKS

14. Enlace-moi 4:30

15. Pick Me Up 5:13

 

 

Yemoja

 

Ah so dah, ah so dah, ah so dah Yemoja

(You only give, you only give, you only give,

Yemoja)

Ah so dah, ah so dah, ah so dah Yemoja

(You only give, you only give, you only give,

Yemoja)

 

Ólódò asè 'sun, mo wí Yemoja

(Owner of rivers; who is the gush of the spring I

say Yemoja)

Àgò lonà 'sodí dé'

(Make way on the road. The one who fills hollow

spaces arrives.)

Yemoja 'Ya' le 'ya' 'lódò

(Powerful Mother; Mother who owns the rivers.)

 

Ólódò asè 'sun, mo wí Yemoja

Àgò lonà 'sodí dé'

Yemoja 'Ya' le 'ya' 'lódò

Ah so dah, ah so dah, ah so dah Yemoja

Ah so dah, ah so dah, ah so dah Yemoja

 

I am the raging of the sea

The lake and the river carry me

Swirling around in rivers deep

My power rolls in back and forth and

The mother source of every life

The howling rainstorm's in my eye

Drink in deeply of my beauty

Fire water wind and power

 

Ólódò asè 'sun, mo wí Yemoja

Àgò lonà 'sodí dé'

Yemoja 'Ya' le 'ya' 'lódò

Ólódò asè 'sun, mo wí Yemoja

Àgò lonà 'sodí dé'

Yemoja 'Ya' le 'ya' 'lódò

 

(repeat verse)

 

Ah so dah, ah so dah, ah so dah Yemoja

(The birth and rebirth of my children's children)

Ah so dah, ah so dah, ah so dah Yemoja

(The dancing waves upon the river draw you,

you)

Ah so dah, ah so dah, ah so dah Yemoja

(The coursing river tidal pulses call you)

Ah so dah, ah so dah, ah so dah Yemoja

(It is I the Orisha, Yemoja!)

 

 

Karibuni

 

Karibuni, Karibuni oh oh oh

Karibuni, Karibuni oh oh oh

 

Oh now welcome, to my village

Welcome to my town

Oh now welcome to my table

Welcome to my home

 

Strangers we may be, we are part of humanity, ah

Different we may be, we can find commonality, ah

Blind but now we see, we can stop the insanity

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

 

Oh now welcome, to my homeland

Welcome to our song

Oh say welcome, oh welcome from the people

Welcome, come sing along

 

Strangers we may be, we are part of humanity, ah

Different we may be, we can find commonality, ah

Blind but now we see, we can stop the insanity

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

 

Ingawa sisi tu wageni, ni sehemu ya wanadamu

(Strangers we may be, we are part of humanity)

Ingawa sisi tupotofauti, tunaweza kutafuta usawa

(Different we may be, we can find commonality)

Tulikuwa vipofu sasa tunaona, tunaweza kuzuia

utofauti (wazimu)

(Blind but now we see, we can stop the insanity)

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

 

Karibuni, Karibuni oh oh oh

Karibuni, Karibuni oh oh oh

 

 

Levántame (Pick Me Up)

 

Será que mi sueños se han ido y como hojas en

otoño caerán

 

Todas las hojas se marchitan al final de la

estación

Busco por vida y de las manos se me escapa, se

me va ...

Estoy sola a medianoche parada en mi habitación

Emociones fluyen por mi alma y hacen piedra el

corazón.

Y en mis amigos busco alegría

Y me preguntan "Qué pasa?"

Será que mi sueños se han ido y como hojas en

otoño caerán

 

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?....dame la mano

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?...te necesito

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?…en la noche

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?… llegaré bien

 

Cuando el invierno viene trae la nieve y un frío

glacial

El abrazo cariñoso de un amigo es especial

Y vuelvo hacia mi familia

No saben lo que me pasa.

Será que mi sueños se han ido y como hojas en

otoño caerán...caerán

 

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?…dame la mano

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?…cuando te llamo

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?…en la noche

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?…llegaré bien

 

Ven hacia mi amor, en la noche mi amor

Oo si me siento mal, tu vendrás a mí?, me

levantarás?

No debes fallar, la música escuchar

Levántame, oh rescátame

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?

 

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?...dame la mano, levántame

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?…oh ahora, cuando te llame

 

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?…en la noche, llegaras bien

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?…oh mi vida, mi gran amor

 

Te amo, te quiero, ahora ... esta noche, es el

momento.

levántame, rescátame?

Si me siento mal, tu vendrás a mí?

Si ven a mí. Entrégate. Y quédate. Junto a mí.

Vendrías a buscarme, al encontrarme me

levantarás?

 

 

Jambo

 

Ah…

Jambo rafiki yangu (Hello my friend)

Hamjambo rafiki zangu (Hello my friends)

 

Habari za leo (How are you today?)

Habari za familia (How is your family?)

Habari za nyumbani (How is your home?)

Habari za kazi (How is your work?)

 

Jambo rafiki yangu (Hello my friend)

 

Ah...

Mahaba (Love)

Salama (Peace)

Umoja (Unity/Oneness)

Ungwana (Goodwill)

Namaste (I bow to that in you which is divine)

 

Ah…

Jambo rafiki yangu (Hello my friend)

Hamjambo rafiki zangu (Hello my friends)

 

Habari za leo (How are you today?)

Habari za familia (How is your family?)

Habari za nyumbani (How is your home?)

Habari za kazi (How is your work?)

 

Habari za mchana (How are you this morning?)

Habari za safari (How was your trip?)

Habari za mama (How is your mother?)

Habari za baba (How is your father?)

 

Habari za mume (How is your husband?)

Habari za watoto (How are your children?)

Habari za kaka (How is your brother?)

Habari za dada (How is your sister?)

 

Habari ni nzuri sana (Everything is fine!)

 

 

Hold Me

 

Life is kinda crazy

How did I know

That I'd end up with you

And now I want you to hold me

While I make sweet love to you

 

Whoa now, while the gentle breezes bathe the

world

And the tender feelings blow right through my

mind

Whoa now, while I'm still dazzled by your touch

And the secrets that we share will keep us warm

 

I want you to hold me while the shadows bathe the

world

I want you to hold me and tell me I'm your only girl

I want you to thrill me and when you're through

It's natural to say "I love you"

 

You and I are beginning

Even though we've been here for years

And you know every inch of me

Topography of body and map into my soul

 

Whoa now, come closer baby, closer still

Till I can't tell where I end and you begin

Whoa say, say those three words I long to hear

And then my darlin', come on in

 

(repeat chorus)

 

 

Zebula Avenue

 

Eh Wemba salee-o, Eh eh

Eh Wemba selee, Eh eh Eh

Eh Wemba salee-o, Yo yo yo nah

Eh Wemba salee, Yo oh yo

Eh Wemba salee, Eh eh

Eh Wemba selee, Eh eh Eh

(This is the song from the father or mother who try

to give some advice about work to their children,

which means everybody is supposed to do some-

thing to take care of themselves and/or their family.)

 

Dans ce monde on doit tout travailler (il faut

travailler), travailler ensemble

(In this world we must learn to work together)

 

 

Trouble Days Ahead

 

Oh no, trouble days ahead

Oh no, trouble days ahead

Oh no, trouble days ahead

Oh no, trouble days ahead

 

The people of this planet

They must finally agree

To hold each other hostage

And the ransom must be

Equality

Democracy

World economy

Or there will be…

 

(repeat chorus)

 

How can we turn from all the hunger?

And go to market every day?

Oh we must help each other

Loving it all

Equally

Deliberately

Selflessly

Or there will be…

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Trouble's ahead

Trouble's ahead

Trouble's ahead

Trouble's ahead

 

 

Life Will Be Fine

 

Looking back on what's gone before

Looking back on what's gone before

Looking back on what's gone before

Life will be fine

 

I have to remind me not to cry now that love's

gone away

I have to remind me not to draw inside and hide

myself within the pain

I have to remember this, too, shall pass - those

are the words my mother say

'Cause at the end of this trying time I'm gonna

walk in a brand new day, yes I will

 

(repeat chorus) (yes it will)

 

Something happened in my life

Never thought I'd be alone

I know some things are my fault

But I got to keep on keepin' on

I got got to keep, keep keepin' on

 

(repeat chorus) (keep keepin' on)

 

(repeat chorus) (life will be fine)

 

 

I Know a Way

 

I, I know the world

Is not the way

You want it to be

But I, I know a way

A way that you

Can make it better

 

Say I, I know

I say that I, I know

I say that I, I know

I know a way

 

I, I know the dream

Deep in your heart

It is there waiting

And you can make it real

Soon you'll awake

Anticipating

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Free your mind

Above all else

Heal your wounds

Love yourself

 

Take a hand, lend an ear

give your heart

 

And I, I know the world

Will be the place

You want it to be

And you, you'll know a way

A way that we

Can make it better

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Free your mind, above all else, heal your

wounds, love yourself

 

 

Nothing but Touch

 

She was so young, and beautiful

And fair

He was so shy, and handsome

Standing there

 

They knew nothing of life

Nothing but touch

Nothing but aching and missing each other so

much

 

The night was clear, and music

Filled the air

It took one look, and magic

Was everywhere

 

(repeat chorus)

 

So tender and so rare

They touch, they dream, they dance

They dare

 

Burning love, sweet delight

 

They knew nothing of life

Nothing but touch

Nothing but aching, their two hearts are

breaking, from missing each other so much

 

Burning love, sweet delight

Burning love, sweet delight

 

 

We Were Here (The Native's Song)

 

We were here

When the others came

We will dance

When the others have gone

Away

 

We were here when the others, others

Have come and gone away

 

We will sing

We'll sing songs of remembrance

How they made of us imperfect cousins and

husbands and wives

We will cry

Distant tears in the palms of our hands

And remember the way the others have touched

our lives

 

I can see that you are with me &endash; I can see that

you are in me

I can see that you are with me &endash; oh are you with

me, or are you in me

I did this

Yes I did this

And I didn't care what I brought you through

I did this

Yes I did this

But what else would you have me do?

I feel this

Yes I feel this

And I don't care what I throw

Away

We were here when the others, the others

Have come and gone away

 

(repeat refrain)

 

We were here

I can see that you are with me &endash; I can see that you

are in me

I can see that you are with me &endash; oh are you with

me, or are you in me

 

(repeat)

 

 

Poor Man's Prayer

 

People arrive into the station

Some shaking hands, some shake in fear

Leaving their homes and leaving their loved

ones

For a better life far away from here

 

Whatever power above is listening to a poor

man's prayer

Rearrange the world so that I can live

Make it a safer, fairer place so that I can get

ahead

All that I'm asking for

Is the answer to a poor man's prayer

 

As the miles fade off in the distance

And the city rises ahead

All of these hopes and fear and dreams and

ambitions

Swirl around and around and around in their

heads

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Make it the kind of place

That won't judge me by my face

And have all the people there

Be fair to me

 

(repeat chorus)

 

I'm on my way

 

 

BONUS TRACKS

 

Enlace-moi (Hold Me)

 

Dans la vie

On ne sait jamais a quoi s'attendre

Et si l'on m'avait dit

Que ce serait toi et moi

Alors viens, viens enlace-moi,

Et tout doucement, je te ferai l'amour

 

Comme de doux embruns qui nous inondent

D'une tendresse qui exude et qui abonde

Par toi je suis prise dans la ronde

Des plus beaux secrets de notre tendre monde

 

Alors enlace-moi comme de doux embruns qui

nous inondent

Alors enlace-moi et dis-moi que je suis ton

monde

Alors fais-moi frémir d'une sensation profonde

Ouvre-moi ton coeur, dis moi que tu m'aimes le

plus au monde

 

Toi et moi, c'est une nouvelle histoire

Qui a commencé il y a bien longtemps

Et mon corps est une mappemonde

Que tu parcours et que mon coeur te tend

 

Alors, enlace-moi, enlace-moi plus fort

Jusqu'à la transfusion de nos deux corps

Viens, dis moi ces mots doux, je ne peux plus

attendre

Ô mon amour, à ton tour de me prendre

 

Alors enlace-moi comme de doux embruns qui

nous inondent

Alors enlace-moi et dis-moi que je suis ton

monde

Alors fais-moi frémir d'une sensation profonde

Ouvre-moi ton coeur, dis moi que tu m'aimes le

plus au monde

 

 

Pick Me Up (Levántame)

 

Could it be that my dreams have shattered and

like leaves in autumn I have fallen down?

 

Here at the ending of the season and the leaves

are turning brown

I look around for life and it is slipping, slipping

underground

Now at the midnight hour I'm standing in my room,

I am alone

Emotions flow right through my soul I feel my

heart has turned to stone.

 

And so I turn to my friends for laughter

They ask me "What is the matter?"

Could it be that my dreams have shattered and

like leaves in autumn I have fallen down?

 

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?….when I call you

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?…when I need you

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?…in the night

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?….make it right

 

When winter comes and brings the snow and

everything is white and cold

The warmth of someone's arms around me is

much more than I can hold

 

And so I turn to my family

They ask what is wrong with me

Could it be that my dreams have shattered and

like leaves in autumn I have fallen down?

…fallen down

 

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?….when I need you

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?.…when I, when I call you

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?.…in the night

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?….make it right

 

Make it right my love, make it tonight my love

Oo when I've fallen down, will you come to me?

Will you come around?

Oh do not let me down oh now, now hear the

sound

Oh pick me up, oh won't you lift me up

Oh will you come and see about me, will you

come and pick me up?

 

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?….when I need you, really need

you

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?…oh now, when I call you

Will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?…in the night, you make it right

Oh will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?….oo my love, oo my love

 

I want you. I need you. The time is right. Make it

tonight.

Oh will you pick me up, oh will you lift me up?

When I've fallen down, will you come around?

Oh yes come to me. Be with me. Ah, stay with

me. Lay with me.

Oh will you come and see about me, will you come

and pick me up?

 

 

Thank you to the Creator (because our steps are strange and synchronous, as only He can make them),

Pablo Freile (inspiration for "Karibuni" and "Jambo"), Tom Rice and Michael Callahan (intro to

"Teroshige"), and Harriet Hammer; thanks to Mahindi's son Sequoia Teroshige Masai and (our Man

from Kenya) Altaf G. Vellani (for inspiration on "Teroshige"), and special thanks to our families, friends

and John Palmer for believing in us.

 

 

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