LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO

A collection of "outstanding recordings drawn from different phases of Ladysmith's career" from Shanachie. The liner notes leave something to be desired (recording dates, information on the songs, anything), but the music is still of a high quality. Ladysmith is the premier group in the field of mbube, and this album helps to show why. Joseph Shabalala's elaborate vocal productions are always a treat for the ears, whether initiated in the style or not. Though information might be rather sparing, the songs are worthy of release abroad, as Shanachie has done. Other albums may be equally good for purposes of starting a foray into the precise harmony of the group, such as Ulwande Oluncgwele, but without an understanding of the Zulu languages, one probably won't have much of a handle on the lyrics in many cases to begin with. The sound is beautiful, and can only be rivaled by a few styles in its vocal exactitude. Pick it up as an interested listener. Adam Greenberg.

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