Shaka Zulu

Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: July 7, 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002LBQ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,988 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #45 in Music > World Music > Africa > South Africa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sheer elegance and soul, June 26, 2001

By 

nadav haber (jerusalem Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shaka Zulu (Audio CD)

The CD proves that elegance and soul can come together beautifully. LBM are a refined product of traditional South African choral singing, that provides the special flavor to modern SA popular music. This is a music radiating with love. It is puzzling how people who have been the object of so much hate and oppression produce music that is pure love. But then the same can be asked about soul music in America. There is no instrumental accompaniment here. The singers use occasional hand claps and foot stomping to add rhythmic intensity to the songs. Most songs are sang in Zulu, but English may be heard here and there. Although the music is very vibrant and moving, it is not dance music. It is a music to listen to and get immersed in, as it grows more beautiful each time. To me the songs never sound the same, and each offers a different feel and mood. An essential part of any music collection.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing singing talent and fantastic harmonies, September 8, 2000

By 

Patrick G. Varine "Make beats, not war, haha..." (Georgetown, Delaware) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shaka Zulu (Audio CD)

Whether you know it or not, you're familiar with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. If you're a Paul Simon fan, you heard the South African male group on the haunting "Homeless" and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" from the "Graceland" album. If not, you know them as "The Lifesaver Commercial Guys." They sang about all the flavors in the TV commercial.

"Shaka Zulu" was their first album available worldwide after being given global exposure by Paul Simon on the Graceland Tour, and it is unbelievable. Their harmony and intricate rhythms, kept in check by headman Joseph Shabalala is amazing, with such a wide range of voices, and the songs are just as good.

The only problem I have with the album is that a lot of the songs sound the same and have the same basic structure. But I'm unable to fully appreciate the songs because I don't speak the language. I'm sure if I knew what they were saying, I would be able to enjoy the album on a higher level.

Overall, however, this is a great album by a great group.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Ladysmith Black Mambazo recording, July 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Shaka Zulu (Audio CD)

After hearing the stirring 'Homeless' and 'Diamonds on the Souls of her shoes' featured on Paul Simon's album Graceland years ago I had to track down these guys. What a GREAT album. I have many of their CDs and this one has track after track of wonderful songs (Wawusho Kubani is one of my all time favorites). See them in concert if at all possible. Spike lee did a mini-documentary (Do it A Cappella) that featured LBM and other A Cappella bands. LBM and the Mint Juleps got together for the greatest version of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' that I've heard. A CD of the documentary is out as well - a must see/hear!