No Boundaries

Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heads Up
• ASIN: B00070EBDK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,012 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Ladysmith Black Mambazo proved itself pliable enough when the a capella group was heavily featured on Paul Simon's Graceland. Other crossover collaborations have followed, but few work as seamlessly as this collection, which features old LBM songs, Zulu traditionals and European classical material done in collaboration with the English Chamber Orchestra. The rich vocal sound literally fuses with the classical musicians in much the same way as a classical choral group does. To its credit, the orchestra (and arranger Isak Roux) loosens up to fit the more oral/aural traditions of the singers--the music is less precise and reliant on virtuosity. The orchestra provides a particularly sympathetic counterpoint on the traditional "Awu Wemadoda" and is downright playful sounding on "Dona Nobis Pacem." Sounding as elegant and reverent, Ladysmith more than meets the orchestra halfway on the famous Bach choral piece "Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring." Making borders and boundaries irrelevant, this is a work of startling beauty that couldn't be improved upon. –-Tad Hendrickson

More Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Graceland	Gift of the Tortoise	Raise Your Spirit Higher
Journey of Dreams	Gospel Songs	Umthombo Wamanzi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful. Simply beautiful., February 4, 2005

By 

Nicky "N Lotay" (Yorkshire, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Boundaries (Audio CD)

The collaboration between Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the English Chamber Orchestra cannot be improved. The sound that both ensembles make together truly is beautiful indeed, as the original Mambazo songs (of which includes "Jabulani (Rejoice)", "Lifikile Ivangeli (The Gospel Arrives)"), the Zulu traditional selections ("Awu Wemadoda (Hey, Man)", "Walil'Umntwana (The Child is Crying)") to the classicals "Dona Nobis Pacem", a joyous song in its own right, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Ave Verum Corpus". This album definately and distinctly proves that music has no boundaries. Mambazo founder and lead singer Joseph Shabalala and Orchestra conductor Ralf Gothoni (along with arranger Isak Roux) have brought to their many fans a selection of compelling and captivating tunes.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, April 25, 2005

By 

S. Sorrick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Boundaries (Audio CD)

I had never heard of this group before and since I like to investigate different types of music, I decided to give it a try. I have truly enjoyed this CD. The more I listen, the more I like. I would highly recommend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One world, January 11, 2007

By 

Jonathan Beachy (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Boundaries (Audio CD)

This CD has multipal messages, but the one that strikes me most is the juxtaposition of European "classical" and African "classical". The human soul is one and at the same time unique. That message comes through clearly, and as a bonus, the powerful messages that each track provides in both content and style must not be missed.