The Rough Guide to South African Gospel

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Performers include: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Rebecca Malope, Kings Messengers Quartet, Vuyo Mokoena & Pure Magic, Holy Cross Choir, Michael Nkole & His Apostles, S.A.C. Choir, Amadodana Asempumaze, Amadonda Ase Weslie, Izikhova Ezimnqini, Bana Ba Lesedi, Holy Spirits Choir, Z.C.C. Mukhunhu. Photographer: Dieter Telemans. Arrangers: Billy Mahlalela; Samuel Mabidikane; Vuyo Mokoena; Strike Vilakazi. Americans might be quite familiar with American gospel music, but gospel from South Africa as featured on The Rough Guide to South African Gospel refracts the same ideas through a prism that makes them completely different. For example, the melody of "Tumelo" here might be familiar, but its execution, in tribal language (as are all the tracks here), owes a lot to the township mbaqanga style, while the harmonies are ineffably South African. Gospel is a genre that's very popular in the country's townships, with its own starts, like Rebecca Malope and Ladysmith Black Mambazo (who also have huge secular popularity). It's very inclusive music, pulling from several local styles, and immediately recognizable, but tracks like "Izindaba" from 12 Apostles Church Choir have a simple, innate warmth that's irresistible. Interestingly, gospel's biggest star, Rebecca Malope, is more American in phrasing and delivery than any of the others on this disc, and perhaps the least inventive. By contrast, Ladysmith Black Mambazo keep their Zulu roots very strong. Whereas a lot of American gospel has been co-opted by the musical mainstream, especially modern R&B, The Rough Guide to South African Gospel shows that's generally not the case in South Africa, where it remains a powerful, and still spiritual, roots genre. ~ Chris Nickson

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