Review: Following the amazing worldwide success of their first album, the Zimbabwean vocal group Insingizi present fourteen new songs, a cappella or accompanied with African drums, clapping and whistles. "After the success of the first album we were faced with a challenge to produce a CD that would have an even greater impact" says group leader Vusa Mkhaya Ndlovu. "The songs on the new CD are a mixture of our own compositions as well as traditional songs that changed our music sense, such as "Londolozela" and the hard-hitting war song, "Lamlela ndwandwe". The other compositions were inspired by life in the townships and they reflect the day to day life in modern day Zimbabwe." From the aforementioned war song to the funeral song "Amagugu", to the traditional wedding songs "Londolozela" and "Umendo", sung by jubilant families at traditional wedding ceremonies, the album highlights the different moods mbube music is capable of heralding. Insingizi's music is filled with hope, optimism and faith. Wherever they go, the purity of their vocal interplay is overwhelmingly beautiful, the lyric is ultimately hopeful, and the inherent tone of their message is true to their spiritual beliefs.

Songlist: Amathalenta, Amagugu, Ngazengayibona, Halala, Lamelela Ndwandwe, Ukubekezela, Sekuseduze, Mtshumayeli, Kungemithandazo, Amisiko, Londolozela, Umendo, Ukuhlabelela, Sizomdumisa

Review: "Mbube" music, regarded as dating back in Zulu tradition to King Shaka, was originally royal music to be sung to honor the Zulu King by his male supporters. The style-a rich a cappella male choral approach usually sung in Zulu, appeared in the early 20th century as "Ingoni Ebusuku," meaning "night music." Popular with Zulu and Swazi laborers, in the early 1940s one of the Ingoni Ebusuku groups recorded a song called "Mbube" (the lion), which became a model for the international hit "Wimoweh" (the Lion Sleeps Tonight), and since then this type of music has become known as Mbube. The three talented men of Insingizi, Vusa, Nqo and Ramadu, have deep Mbube roots and performing experience, and they have created a special, powerful collection of 17 songs here. The rhythmic gem "Amasango," the gospel-based "Jerusalem," "Ungangidluli Jesu" and "Siyabonga," the complex "Isiqholo" and "Mama," and "Uzoyidela" are favorites. Beautiful, extensive liner notes. Authentic, wonderful "night music" from Insingizi.

Songlist: Ingoma, Amasango, Ibele Lendlela, Jerusalem, Isqoqodo, Nanziwe, Ngizobambelela, Isiqholo, Mama, Ungangidluli Jesu, Yint'enjani, Uthando Lukajesu, Siyabonga, Uzoyidela, Ko Bulawayo, Vinqo, Mbonqane Groove