Customer Reviews

Best of Ladysmith Black mambazo

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A moving collection by the group made famous after their immediate success from Paul Simon's Graceland.

Each track on this album is enough to give the listener goose flesh. "Mambazo", meaning "axe" in Zulu, has nothing to do with violence but pertains to the "cutting" nature of the various voices while singing. You certainly get that feeling when listening to this CD. The pulse and harmony on this album will move you. There are no instruments - all of the "instrumental rythmns" come from the groups' voices in the form of humming, trills, clicks and other excalmatory sounds. It is intriging to listen to the harmony they achieve.

It perhaps does not include all of their "best" tracks. In fact most of their commercial success were English tracks. Tunes such as Homeless, Diamonds on the soles of her shoes (both with Paul Simon), Knocking on Heaven's Door (with Dolly Parton) and the World in Union (Rugby Union World Cup Anthem) are not here.

However if you are looking for virtuoso collection of Zulu isicathamiya (cutting harmonic music) then you are unlikely to find anything better.

If you don't know much about Southern African, or indeed African music, then this should get you interested.

This collection of Ladysmith Black Mambazo tunes is more than just a 'greatest hits' collection. It stands by itself as an artwork, all of the songs fitting a certain mood - one of joy, healing and positive christian spirituality.

A range of voices, low to high with cliks and whoops, is all this album contains. It is amazing how much music can orginate from the human vocal chord to produce music as stunning and beutiful as that made by the most sophisticated intsuments.

Some of the tunes are sunny, others pensive. Some songs are sermons, many end in "halleluyah," and the overall result is mezmerizing -- enjoyable for christians and non-christians alike.

This is highly recommended, and the perfect companion for a quiet day or to relieve daily stress. A+

Like many North Americans, I first heard Ladysmith on Paul Simon's Graceland album (by the way, the DVD of the making of that album is terrific). Last year I bought this CD, and it's been in continuous rotation on my CD player. There are lovely hymns (I only know they're hymns because they end in Amen) and very silly love songs like Paulina. It's a mini-vacation to listen to these guys!

If you've only heard this group on Paul Simon's Graceland, you don't know what you're missing. Expand your musical horizons, if you love music, you won't be disappointed.

If you've heard the Life Saver's commercial (yumm!), or seen the Lion King, you've heard Ladysmith Black. You may never know what they are saying, but you'll sing along anyway. Their songs are nothing but harmony and rhythm. I highly recommend this CD to--if nothing else--broaden your musical horizons. You WILL be glad you did.

Wow! This Ladysmith Black Mambazo album is simply brilliant!
The first track, "Izithembiso Zenkosi" (pronounce ee-zee-tem-bi-zo Zen-kos) is 5 stars! I was pleased when I found out that the song "Lifikile Ivangeli (THE GOSPEL HAS ARRIVED)" was on this album, as I heard it before.
Any other kids out there who are fans of Black Mambazo...buy this album now! Of course, ask your parents.

If you have ever caught yourself singing the "Life Savers...Yummm" candy jingle, then you will like this CD. The harmony of their voices will sooth your soul. I only wish that the CD had a more diverse sampling of their work.

This group makes music beautiful, peaceful and soulful. So calming and precious.

This is music in it's purest form, utilizing vocals where other mere mortals must turn to man-made instruments. Their melodies and harmonies are ageless.. timeless. You can almost shut your eyes and imagine this being the soundtrack to some ancient and beautiful age.

Their vocals are almost impossibly balanced - it is that perfect a sound. This CD contains much of Ladysmith's best work. Selections that run the range of pure joy to the point where my hair truly does stand on end while listening, to deep melancholy. It is music that lifts the soul to a higher place, and has the priceless ability to brighten even the dankest of days.

Mambazo means "Ox" in Zulu--NOT axe. This explains one of the first reviewers who mistakenly wondered why the group would have such a violent tone to their group name.

Oh, and I really enjoy this group!