Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Founded by Joseph Shabalala during the 1960s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a Grammy-winning choral group from South Africa. Specializing in isicathamiya, a harmony-focused Zulu style of a cappella and offshoot of mbube, they became known to pop audiences around the world when Paul Simon featured them on his 1986 album Graceland. After joining Simon on his 1987 Graceland tour, they became regular headliners on the international touring circuit.
Born in 1941, Shabalala was one of eight children in a family that lived on a farm near the town of Ladysmith, South Africa. As the oldest boy, it was Joseph's duty to take care of the family after his father died, and he eventually took up factory work.
His first musical experience, save for a bit of fooling around on the guitar, came with a choral group called the Blacks. Shabalala eventually took over leadership of the group and became its main composer. The Blacks won the majority of the local vocal competitions and became the most popular Zulu vocal group, but Shabalala felt that something was missing. "I had been hearing a voice inside me," he said. "I didn't know it, but it was the voice of God." Shortly thereafter he became a Christian. Blending the choral music he heard in the Christian church with multiple elements of the Zulu tradition not typically combined, he forged his own style.
When the Blacks refused to take part in Shabalala's experiments, he formed Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The group consisted of seven bass voices, an alto, a tenor, and Shabalala singing lead. After signing with Gallo Record Company, their recording debut, Amabutho, arrived in 1973. The combo began releasing albums at a staggering rate, creating a massive catalog of vocal music.
After Ladysmith Black Mambazo contributed to the eclectic mix of styles on Simon's international hit Graceland and joined him on the subsequent tour, Simon produced a trilogy of Warner Bros. releases for the group. Shaka Zulu, released in 1987, won a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Recording. It was followed by 1988's Journey of Dreams and 1990's Two Worlds One Heart. Among continued releases for other labels, including Gallo, a pair of best-of samplers appeared on Shanachie, including 1992's Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The 2000 compilation In Harmony was issued by Wrasse. The group won another Grammy for 2004's Raise Your Spirit Higher, this time for Best Traditional World Music Album, and No Boundaries, which featured the English Chamber Orchestra, arrived on Headsup Records in 2005. In 2007, Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu was released in South Africa with an American edition following in 2008. It took home the Grammy for Best Traditional World Music Album, and Live: Singing for Peace Around the World won the Best World Music Album Grammy in 2013.
With a lineup featuring four of Joseph Shabalala's sons, who by that point had sung with the group for over 20 years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo released Songs of Peace & Love for Kids & Parents Around the World in 2017. Joseph Shabalala died in Pretoria, South Africa on February 11, 2020.
© Marcy Donelson & j. poet /TiVo
Similar artists
-
Ikhaya Nothando
Divers - Released by Gallo Record Company on 23 sep. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Liph' Iqiniso
Divers - Released by Gallo Record Company on 8 nov. 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Songs From A Zulu Farm
Wereldmuziek - Released by Razor & Tie on 25 jan. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Always With Us
Afrika - Released by Ladysmith Black Mambazo on 15 jan. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Music From Inala: A Zulu Ballet
Wereldmuziek - Released by Ladysmith Black Mambazo on 3 okt. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Gospel Hits
Gospel - Released by Gallo Record Company on 28 nov. 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Umthombo Wamanzi
Wereldmuziek - Released by Gallo Record Company on 1 jan. 1982
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ain't No Sunshine
Wereldmuziek - Released by The Gallo Record Company Vault on 22 mrt. 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Soothe My Soul Songs from our South African Church
Gospel - Released by GAMMA on 8 dec. 2023
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chillout Sessions
Divers - Released by Gallo Record Company on 3 sep. 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ezinkulu
Divers - Released by Gallo Record Company on 1 jan. 1979
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Singing for Peace Around the World (Live)
Wereldmuziek - Released by Ladysmith Black Mambazo on 14 jan. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Thandani
Wereldmuziek - Released by Gallo Record Company on 1 jan. 1984
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Induku Zethu
Wereldmuziek - Released by Gallo Record Company on 1 jan. 1983
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wenyukela
Wereldmuziek - Released by Gallo Record Company on 5 mrt. 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live: Singing for Peace Around the World
Divers - Released by Gallo Record Company on 14 jan. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In Harmony
Wereldmuziek - Released by Gallo Record Company on 22 okt. 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Ilembe - Our Tribute to King Shaka
Wereldmuziek - Released by Gallo Record Company on 26 feb. 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Awu Wemadoda (Club Mix)
Spencer Brown, Wilt Claybourne, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
House - Released by diviine on 2 aug. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Songs of Peace & Love for Kids & Parents Around the World
Wereldmuziek - Released by 716824 Records DK on 22 sep. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo