The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Vol. 2

Performer: Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Soaring with with grace and beauty, the a cappella harmonies of South African supergroup Ladysmith Black Mambazo were selected from over 40 albums for this excellent collection of spiritual songs. As the most famous ambassadors of Zulu iscathamiya, a musical style characterized by high-voiced lead singing layered against four-part harmonies, Ladysmith Black Mambazo released the first African album to achieve gold status (sales of 25,000) with 1973's Amabutho. Since then, they have continued their popularity, selling as much or more worldwide. The Best Of, Vol. 2, sung entirely in Zulu, illustrates the group's ability to reach beyond language and cultural barriers, capturing the pure spirit of music. ~ Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

Dirty Linen (6-7/99, p.85) - "...featuring more of the group's distinctive mbube harmony with all songs on this disc performed a capella. There may be no instrumental backing, but the group's soaring vocals and melodies are more than enough..."

From the South African musical style mbube, Ladysmith Black Mambazo popularized a more modern, sophisticated offshoot known as iscathamiya. They quickly became the genre's leading practitioners, with a vocal harmony blend that incorporated everything from mbube to gospel and doo wop. The group began recording in the mid-1970s, gaining great acclaim in their home country, but it wasn't until their collaboration with Paul Simon on his GRACELAND album in 1986 that Ladysmith broke through to an international audience. World tours, a US major-label deal, and a Grammy award followed.

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