Dr. John has spent so much time turning out perfectly enjoyable but interchangeable records that it may be easy to forget the spooky voodoo vibes of his earliest, arguably best, records. He may have forgotten it himself, too, but there was a whole generation of British musicians, from Modfather Paul Weller to Spaceman Jason Pierce to the teenaged punks in Supergrass, who remembered the haunted vibe lurking in Gumbo and Gris-Gris. Citing his name in interviews, covering his songs, and enlisting him as a session musician, they created a buzz around Dr. John and were more than willing to play on Anutha Zone, hopefully generating some sales for him in return. Pierce helps Rebennack conjure the psychedelic R&B of his earlier albums, while Weller and Supergrass help keep things cooking; furthermore, members of Primal Scream and Portishead help make "Sweet Home New Orleans" a titanic workout. The Brits aren't as funky as the classic New Orleans musicians, but they are willing to push Dr. John into his best work in years. Anutha Zone isn't a perfect album by any means, but it's Rebennack's most ambitious and rewarding album in many a year. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Released in 1998, 14 tracks, including:
01- Zonata
02- Ki Ya Gris Gris
03- Voices In My Head
04- Hello God
05- John Gris
06- Party Hellfire
07- I Don't Wanna Know
08- Anutha Zone
09- I Like Ki Yoka
10- The Olive Tree
11- Why Come
12- Soulful Warrior
13- The Stroke
14- Sweet Home New Orleans