LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
The Warner Brothers Collection (Rhino)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Though they'd been together since 1974 and recorded many albums before Paul Simon invited Ladysmith Black Mambazo to join him on Graceland in 1986, it was that exposure that brought them widespread attention outside their home in South Africa. It could reasonably be argued that they were a principal factor in the critical and commercial success of the Simon album, and he promptly returned the favor by producing their first Warner Brothers album, Shaka Zulu, in 1987. Along with "Homeless," a track from Graceland, this disc features 16 songs drawn from Shaka Zulu and the group's two subsequent Warner Brothers releases, Journey Of Dreams and Two Worlds One Heart.

I can't imagine anyone with a passing familiarity with popular music not knowing about Ladysmith Black Mambazo. If I'm wrong, and they've somehow escaped your notice, then you simply must stop what you're doing and to acquire this CD immediately. If you're intimately familiar with their work, you'll know that the tracks here represent some of their best produced, most accessible work and you'll want a copy of your own. If there's an essential world music compilation issued this year, this is the one.

Track List:

Homeless (w/Paul Simon) * Unomathemba * Hello My Baby * King Of Kings * How Long? * Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain * Wawusho Kubani? (Who Were You Talking To?) * Hamba Dompasi (No More Passbook) * Ungayoni Into Enhle (Destroy Not This Beauty) * Ungakhowlwa (Don't Forget) * Ibhubesi (The Lion Song) * Township Jive * Love Your Neighbor * Leaning On The Everlasting Arms (w/the Winans) * Hayi Ngalesishkathi (Not Right Now) * Cothoza Mfana (Tip Toes Guy) * Amazing Grace (w/Paul Simon)

© 2001 - Shaun Dale