Rhythm Of The Pride Lands: Music Inspired By Disney's The Lion King [SOUNDTRACK]

Disney, Lebo M, The Lion King (Related Recordings), Ernie Sabella, Nathan Lane, Jimmy Cliff

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 1995)
• Original Release Date: 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Disney
• ASIN: B000001M2E
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,994 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #40 in	Music > Pop > By Decade > 1990s
  #41 in	Music > Miscellaneous > Compilations > Decades > 1990-1999
  #70 in	Music > World Music > Reggae

Track Listings

1. He Lives in You

2. Hakuna Matata - Jimmy Cliff, , Lebo M.

3. Lion Sleeps Tonight

4. Kube

5. Lea Halalela (Holy Land) - Lebo M., Khuluiwe Sithole,

6. It's Time

7. One by One

8. Warthog Rhapsody - Nathan Lane, Lebo M., Ernie Sabella

9. Lala

10. Busa

11. Noyana

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just...get it. NOW, November 13, 2005

By	Sherrie Jackson (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This CD is simply remarkable. You truly have to hear it to understand what I mean. I found out about it when I was watching Disc 2 of my Lion King DVD, and what I expected to hear was some cool beats and maybe some catchy chanting. What I got was far, far beyond that, and here's why:

Firstly, it hit me upon the third listening that so much of this music sounds like a celebration. It's the kind of music that energizes you and makes you smile, and want to share it with people. This is the only CD that can cheer me up when I'm in another one of my funks. Everybody needs to have something like that!

Secondly, I had not understood why the people involved with the Lion King were so high on Lebo M until, of course, I heard this CD. He is directly involved with the most beautiful and uplifting tracks; to have that kind of music come from you is a blessing, plain and simple. Wish I had that kind of talent!

Thirdly, some of the tracks incorporate music from the original soundtrack, which 1) is awesome because they are excerpts that were not main themes but could have been, and 2) is awesome because Hans Zimmer wrote the score. He's my all-time favorite film composer ("Gladiator," "Prince of Egypt," "Crimson Tide") and it's just really cool to hear his music sung by such a talented choir.

Is this the most pure, authentic African music you could ever buy? No, but you can't let that ruin this for you. Lebo M is from South Africa, as is the choir, and I'm betting that South African music is going to sound different from the music of Namibia or Kenya or Madagascar. Just like here in America; a foreigner should not be disappointed because Green Day does not sing folk music. Also, remember that at least three of the tracks are influenced from the original soundtrack, written by a non-African (actually German, I believe) composer.

The best tracks, in my opinion, are "One By One," "Noyana," and the incredible "He Lives in You." But I was also pleasantly surprised by the cover of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight;" I would demand seven figures to listen to the original version, which is so cheesy to me (and I'm sure lots of other folks), but with a thoughtful arrangement as well as the addition of African voices and instruments (and a slower pace) it's actually an amazing song. "Hakuna Matata" is re-envisioned with new lyrics in which the singer is an African laborer who longs to have learned the motto before he became older and less inclined to reap all that life offers. And there's even a song with Timon and Pumbaa, left out of the movie, and sung by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella. It's humorous and kind of Broadway-ish, but sometimes I skip it. Sorry. :)

Wrapping up - it's amazing how much tracks like "Noyana" sound like gospel music! I'm no afficianado of that genre, but the choir makes me want to be. Even though sung in an African dialect, the harmonies are similar to those you would find in gospel music (that is, absolutely gorgeous) and in "One By One" they even clap together. ("One By One" is unaccompanied but for the gradual addition of sound effects by some in the choir, which is reminiscent of some band piece that allow the students to add the sounds of crickets, birds, etc. So cool!)

So, if you like the Lion King, or African music, or gospel music, or being happy, or having great music stuck in your head - good news! This is the number one CD you should be buying RIGHT NOW. I'm so grateful I did.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An All-Time Favorite, July 18, 2005

By	Bruce Aguilar (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I love this music so much. I bought the CD soon after its release and have not stopped listening to it since. The melodies, music and emotion are infectious and continue to move me.

Collected herein are eleven songs that expand and mature the Lion King musical landscape. The African influence on the Lion King soundtrack is magnified tenfold here. Most songs are sung in African languages (one is a capella), some are sung in English and some are a mixture of both languages. The music itself is Afro-centric with a bit of pop tossed in. Two of the songs use the score of the film as a jumping off point and two others re-imagine songs from the film. The total effect is soulful, joyful and full of discovery. Young children might not appreciate it as much as adults, but the more you listen the deeper the songs affect you.

Since many of the songs are in African languages, it is a great help that a full translation of the lyrics appear in the booklet along with the original language lyrics. It just goes to show how much care went into this project. Rhythm of the Pride Lands is a true gem and something that is sure to thrill you for many years to come.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great listening experience, June 15, 2003

By	Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This great CD contains some twelve tunes inspired by Disney's hit movie, The Lion King. Bearing wonderful African melodies and words, the songs are not merely remakes of songs from the movie, but actually take off in a new direction. Some are in English, some are in African languages, and some are in both. The music is wonderful - peaceful and enchanting. I would say, ignore the Lion King connection, this CD is a great listening experience in and of itself, and I highly recommend it.