Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

Rhythmn of the Pride Lands should have been the official soundtrack for the movie the Lion King.For me it captures the true spirit of the movie and the parts of Africa that I have visited thus far. 'One by one' and 'Noyana' are my favorites. The English Translation for the African lyrics are in the cover which helps me learn another lanuguage. I agree that the CD is one the whole family can enjoy.Out of all the music I have continued to buy over the past few years, this is the one that stays close to the top of my regular play list.

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.

A lot of background African vocals you will recognize from the film have made a return in "Rhythm of the Pride Lands" adding 3 to 4 minutes to the 30 second vocals you heard in the movie. The music is simply superb. It also includes "Warthog Rhapsody" one of the deleted songs from the film. Lebo M plays a very important role in this soundtrack, performing in 9 out of the 11 tracks on the CD. Many of the songs remind me of the broadway musical "Sarafina!". One of the tracks, "Lea Halalela" is what the hit "Shadowland" (from the "Lion King" broadway show) is based on. "He Lives In You", a very inspiring and uplifting track, was produced for this album, but was such an amazing song, it was used in the broadway show -and- the sequel, "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride". Although the original soundtrack and the soundtrack for the sequel are very wonderful, this is the TRUE soundtrack for "The Lion King". This album brings out the serious emotional side of the film, where as the original soundtrack simply gives you the major songs and highlights from the score, the ideal choice for families. If you are an adult fan of "The Lion King", I recommend this CD to you. Chances are, it will become your favorite CD.

I was completely blown away by the music on this CD. Lebo M has such a great voice, and the lyrics and melodies of this CD do NOT disappoint. This is definitly a more mature version of the Lion King's music, and I really think it adds more depth to the original story and soundtrack. The first track, "He Lives in You," is one of the more serious ones that has sort of a nostalgic sense to it (though not overwhelmingly so). "Hakuna Matata" is an up beat, faster version of the original that's lush with vocals and melodies and does the original wonderful justice. There are so many layers to Lebo's "Lion Sleeps Tonight" that it's a pleasure to hear them all working together. The lyrics are simple and sweet, but very elegant. "Kube" is another bouncy, positive song that has a bit more dominant vocals, but utilizes plenty of percussion. "Lea Halalela" is a slower song written by the Lion King's original composer, Hans Zimmer. "It's Time" is another nostalgic track with an even pace. "One by One" is an all vocal a capella sung mostly in an African language but it's beautiful nonetheless. The "Warthog Rhapsody" was suppsoed to have been used in the first Lion King, but it was one of those songs that just didn't make it. Written again by Hans Zimmer, it's a very fun and silly track. "Lala" and "Busa" are also Hans Zimmer influences. "Lala" is a slower, sadder song that very serene with subtle melodies. "Busa" is very fast paced, and some will remember this melody from the movie. Last but certainly not least is "Noyana," a traditional African song that nicely wraps up this CD with is dominant vocals and uplifting melodies.

I've noticed that this CD is increasingly going up in price. Get it while you still can, you will not regret it! Even if you weren't interested in the Lion King's music, this is great for the African themes. If you did like Lion King's music, be prepared for this CD's greater emphasis on the vocals that were sparse in the original soundtrack.

I've had this CD for more than 5 years, and this is one of those CDs that I just cannot stop listening to.
I've been listening to this on a regular basis for more than 5 years and it STILL feels new every time i listen.
it's just magnificent. I'm not a big fan of African music, but this is just different!
If I only had to pick 3 CDs to listen to out of my collection of some hundreds, this would definitely be one of the three. Go ahead and give this a try.

RotPL is both powerful and beautiful, upbeat and soothing. The music will stay with you forever. favorites emerge the first time around (mine being He Lives in You, Lea Halalela and It's Time).

The music is enchanting, and has led me to buy more African CDs.

A must have for any collection!

Nearly a decade ago, my parents took me to Sam Goody to buy me a CD to cheer me up after getting back from a disastrous visit with relatives. Rhythm of the Pridelands immediately caught my eye because I absolutely loved everything Lion King and had seen the movie in the threatre two years before. I got the CD hoping that it would be just as good as the motion picture soundtrack that I had on cassette at the time. When I got home and listened to it, I was definitely happy with it. Since I was a kid and didn't know the disappointment that I've come to expect with many other soundtracks as an adult, I took Rhythm for granted. And since I didn't take the greatest care of my CDs back then, Rhythm became so scratched that it was nearly unplayable because of the skipping. I got rid of the CD, but I still have the inner booklet with the beautiful cover art. I've been looking to get another Rhythm CD, but I haven't seen it in stores. I haven't heard the disc in years, and can't recall much of it, but I do remember the beautiful, atmospheric feel most of the songs had. The vocals are soaring, and the tribal beats match perfectly. If you enjoyed the original Lion King soundtrack, I'm sure you'll be taken aback at how good this is. Definitely buy it if you can find it!

I was excited to find this product. I owned the cassette tape years ago when it first came out and listened to it until I wore it out. It's a fresh sound most Americans aren't used to. And since it's inspired by a movie we all know, it's a great introduction to African/World music for those who have never really listened to that style before.

The CD was in perfect condition and plays beautifully. Only downfall was the center of the CD case that holds the CD in place was broken into several pieces. I believe the seller even said he had new cases. These pieces could've scratched the product during shipping... luckily they didn't. My recommendation to the seller is if those really are new cases, start purchasing a different brand.

Thanks!