Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu

Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 15, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heads Up Africa
• ASIN: B000Z0B50O
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,536 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #98 in Music > World Music > Africa > South Africa

Editorial Reviews

In the late 1700s, the Zulus were an obscure tribe of less than 2000 South African natives, ruled by a petty chief and seemingly doomed to eventual extinction. But when one charismatic and cunning young warrior, Shaka Zulu, emerged from this small, disorganized clan, the path of South African history changed forever. In a span of less than two decades, Shaka Zulu united the Zulus with various neighboring tribes into a single powerful force that helped give birth to a proud nation.

Today, Shaka Zulu is regarded as one of the greatest leaders in African history. His combination of warrior discipline, visionary leadership, innate creativity, and unshakable belief in a united nation continues to resonate to this day in South Africa. He is revered as the single figure who gave birth to the indomitable fighting spirit of the Zulus - the same spirit that enabled South Africans to persevere amid the European domination of their homeland for nearly two centuries of apartheid.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the GRAMMY® Award winning vocal group from South Africa that has conquered nations in its own way with a joyous and spiritually charged brand of vocal music and native choreography, pays tribute to this historical icon with their new Heads Up International release, "Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu". "Ilembe" celebrates not only Shaka Zulu but the sense of perseverance, creativity and pride that he has inspired in generations of descendants.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to understand all the words to know their beauty, March 21, 2008

By 

R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu (Audio CD)

Few groups reach 48 years under the leadership of one man. When Joseph Shambala began the all-male choir in 1960, his mission was to build a group that would win competitions. The name Ladysmith Black Mambazo is an affirmation of this goal. 'Black' refers to the black ox, which is the strongest animal and 'Mambazo' is the Zulu word for 'axe.' Their aim was literally to chop down their competition.

This group has had to be strong. In 1986, when they began working with Paul Simon, they violated their country's doctrine of apartheid putting them at grave risk. Two of the members have been murdered due to racial tension, including Shambala's brother. The members work hard in their concert appearances to stress the importance of tolerance and racial harmony in the context of Christian values. They are not just musicians of the highest caliber, they are ambassadors of peace.

Today, Joseph Shambala still writes most of their songs. Nine songs of this collection are in Zulu with three in a mix of English and Zulu. These are songs of praise and faith. The sound is exhilaratingly ambient. Their music is an excellent test of any music system.

Their performances are a real treat. The traditionally dressed group regales you with tales of their homeland as well as their music. They are not just standing still while they're singing in that tight harmony, either. Zulu dances are strenuous and beautiful. If you ever have a chance to hear this group live, it's well worth the price of admission.