Raise Your Spirit Higher

Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 5, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heads Up
• ASIN: B00014X8AY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,751 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #28 in Music > World Music > Africa > South Africa

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's been 17 years since Ladysmith Black Mambazo's gorgeous vocal harmonies poured the foundation for Paul Simon's landmark 1986 album Graceland, an album that catapulted the South African a cappella gospel group into the international consciousness and led to worldwide stardom, a Grammy, film soundtracks, and candy commercials. Fans of the group's intricately arranged vocal landscapes will be pleased to know that all that ensuing attention hasn't diluted the group's appeal. Their latest CD, Raise Your Spirit Higher, is as strong as anything the group has recorded in its now 30-year career. Ladysmith has always defined itself by merging Christian gospel music with a native South African musical tradition called isicathamiya, which was developed by mine workers who sang to entertain themselves after their grueling work. That tradition continues here, with several tracks like "Uqinisul' Ubada (Lord is the Light and Truth)" and "Udidekil' Umhlaba (Lord's Work)", devoted to Christian themes. Since the group sings in their native Zulu, however, Ladysmith's international appeal has always been in the stunning variety of sounds they are able to produce with their voices alone, and Raise Your Spirit Higher is no exception. The percussive clicking sounds on "Selingelethu Sonke" and Wangibambezela" are otherworldly, and the gorgeous call-and-response between leader Joseph Shabalala and the group on "Wenza Ngani?" shows that the group's polish hasn't lost anything since "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes." The most moving track on the album though, is the closing "Tribute", sung by Shabalala's grandsons in tribute to their grandmother, tragically murdered in 2002 during the recording of this album. --Ezra Gale

Product Description

Raise Your Spirit Higher by Ladysmith Black Mambazo

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rising above all adversity, this album shines., December 10, 2004

By 

Brett Lemke (www.maximumink.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raise Your Spirit Higher (Audio CD)

The seed of creativity is often planted with the influences of adversity and oppression. As the individual is stricken by tragedy the fertilized seed sprouts; tapping internal strengths and consolidating them into an increasingly focused goal. From their South-African inception nearly four decades ago, Joseph Shabalala has grown Ladysmith Black Mambazo from a dream to a bicentennial Redwood, cathartically expressing his hardship and joys with each subsequent masterpiece. Shabalala's soul faced the ultimate test during the making of "Raise Your Spirit Higher (Wenkyukela)" released January 24, 2004. In the Spring of 2002, his wife Nellie of 30 years was murdered in a Church parking lot by a masked gunman. To date, no conviction has been made. Despite the overwhelming grief and angst that accompanies such a profound loss, Joseph has chosen to stay faithful to his beliefs and reiterates their universal messages of peace and love with this record. "At the time that this happened, I tried to take my mind deep into the spirit, because I know the truth is there," says Shabalala, "In my flesh, I might be angry, I might cry, I might suspect somebody. But when I took my mind into the spirit, the spirit told me to be calm and not to worry. Bad things happen, and the only thing to do is raise your spirit higher." He keeps his wife's spirit and memory alive to those who will listen, his being steadfast and faith unshaken. - All content copyright www.maximumink.com

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD, February 13, 2004

By 

andy kaplan (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raise Your Spirit Higher (Audio CD)

This CD is one of the best that I have ever heard. The way that they sing really speaks to me. Hearing those harmonies run together to from a wall of sound that is like nothing that I have ever heard before, and it moves my soul to places that I thought were long ago killed. This CD is an uplifting event that everyone should take the time to purchase and enjoy for the rest of their lives.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ever So Pleased, August 4, 2010

By 

Profound Simplicity - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Raise Your Spirit Higher (Audio CD)

The service, timing and CD were just perfect. Any concerns I had were swept away in short order. Five stars for sure! Thanks for the great service.