Anyone familiar with the group's history knows the immense respect the group has garnered through a career spanning over forty albums. Though their appearances with Paul Simon raised their profile significantly, their vibrant rhythms and joyful voices have been attracting international audiences for many years prior. Sung in the native languages of South Africa, this in fact adds to the enjoyment of the record, as one is drawn in and captivated by the repetitive mantra of the sounds themselves, and the honest feeling that they express.

Songlist: uligugu lami, nkosi yami ngabusiswa, limnandi evangeli, igazi lemihlatshelo, woza emthonjeni, ngingahlanzwa ngani na, homeless, ujesu wami, vuka jona sithandaze, ulwandle oluncgwele, uzube nami baba, we. njliziyo yami, zintombi, mangosuthu, siyawadinga amandla, khayelihle khaya lami

By the time Ladysmith Black Mambazo became known in the United States they had recorded twenty or so albums in South Africa on the Gallo label. Many of them had gone gold. Only a few of those earlier recordings have been released here since they began their recording for the U.S. market with Shaka Zulu. In 1990 Shanachie compiled this wonderful disc of tracks taken from Ladysmith's Gallo discography which had been originally released in South Africa. These are some of the songs which made mbube songs famous through out Africa long before they were heard by a U.S. audience, except for small audiences of eclectic non-commercial radio stations. This is the sound that captivated Paul Simon and stimulated his desire to work with them.

Songlist: lonyaka, uphi umhlobo, isimanga salomhlaba, limnandi evangeli, uligugu lami, uma ngingena esontweni, intando ka thix, amafutha esibane, khwishi khwishi, ujesu wami, hamba angikhathali, nxa ebizwa amagama, bamnqobile, nansi imali

This release from Ladysmith takes the entire family on an enchanting musical journey trough the rich and wondrous land of the Zulu people. The combination of great music and lively introductions in English delights children and adults alike.

Songlist: Introduction, Kanje Kanje, Rain Chant, There Come Our Mothers, Nomyekelo, Finger Dance, Thekwane, Vulani Ringi Ring, Boy Who Turned Into a Cat, Paparam Vingo, Shabala, Two Shellent, Mbube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight), Peace Be With You

Ladysmith crosses cultural boundaries more than ever before to bring their musical message to a wider audience. The lineup of musicians who with whom they work is fabulous. The album begins with one of the most complex pieces of music imaginable from Joseph who admits that his music is very difficult to sing. Dolly Parton leads "Knockin' On Heavens Door." "O Happy Day" and "Take My Hand Precious Lord" features vocalist Betty Griffin. Phoebe Snow is lead singer on "People Get Ready." Bill Champlin does the lead vocal on "River Of Dreams." You'll find Lou Rawls in lead on "Chain Gang" and Hana "Coyote" Motijoane sings lead on "I'll Take You There." Among these instrumentally accompanied guest appearances which explore American gospel and R&B are an equal number of Ladysmith familiars. It's wonderful how many artists seek to share the message of hope and joy with Ladysmith Black Mambazo!

Songlist: Yitho umlilo ovuthayo, Knockin' on Heavens Door, Oh Happy Day, People Get Ready, Take My Hand, Precious Lord, Sohlabelelu Hosana, I'll Take You There, Rain, Rain Beautiful Rain, River of Dreams, Jesus Is My Leader, Chain Gang, He Showed Me His Hands, Ilungelo ngelakho

Another winner in the Rabbit Ears series, combining the finest musicians, in this case Ladysmith; with the powerful voices of star actors and actresses, in this case Danny Glover; to re-tell a classic children's story aimed at the whole family. In other words, they went for the highest quality on all fronts, and it shows. "How the Leopard," of course, takes place in Africa, and Ladysmith's music almost defines the sound of Africa. Glover's gravelly voice holds our attention on every word. A classic story, presented with some of the most powerful vocals on the planet (both sung and spoken)-it adds up to a winner. And the dozens of awards, from Grammys to Parent's Choice, only tell us what we already know!

In the late 1700s, the Zulus were an obscure tribe of less than 2000 South African natives, ruled by a petty chief and seemingly doomed to eventual extinction. But when one charismatic and cunning young warrior, Shaka Zulu, emerged from this small, disorganized clan, the path of South African history changed forever. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has conquered nations in its own way with a joyous and spiritually charged brand of vocal music and native choreography, pays tribute to this historical icon with their latest release. The album title translates to "The Greatest Warrior," and either directly or indirectly, each of the tracks speaks to Shaka's rare combination of attributes and how they resonate in contemporary society - not just for South Africans, but for the world in general.

Songlist: O mmu beno mmu, Kuyafundw' osizini (Ilembe), Vela nsizwa, Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love), Umon' usuk' esweni, Sizobalanda, This Is the Way We Do, Iphel' emasini, Asekhon' amatshitshi, Hlala nami, Prince of Peace, Iphel' emasini (Nature Effects)

Journey of Dreams began in the late 1950's in Joseph Shabalala's dreams. Joseph writes. "This Journey of Dreams began a long time ago, while I was still a young boy on the farm and children would come to my dreams and sing to me. Now that we have made this record working with Russ Titelman and blessed by Paul Simon's guidance, I feel the dreams are now living inside the music as never before. For the first time I have made the music on record exactly as my dreams would tell me and for this I am grateful. Because the world listens now and that means the Journey of Dreams goes on and on." You can experience that dream with this baker's dozen songs which are, all but one, sung in Zulu. That one is the finale, "Amazing Grace" arranged and sung with Paul Simon. Don't miss the dream!

Songlist: Umusa Kankulunkulu (Mercy of God), Lindelani (Get Ready), Ukhalangami (You Cry for Me), Bavinbindlela (The Stumbling Block), Bhasobha (Watch), Nomakanhani (Dark or Blue), Hamba Dompasi (No More Passbook), Ungayoni Into Enhle (Destroy Not This Beauty), Ampahiko Okundiza (Wings to Fly), Wayibambezela (Don't Waste Her Time), Ungakhohlwa (Don't Forget), Ibhubesi (The Lion Song), Amazing Grace

The first live recording, captured from their sold-out appearance at London's Royal Albert Hall. The South-African Ladysmith has an international reputation, acting as informal ambassadors of musical goodwill. Though we were unable to listen to this CD prior to publication, we know it contains many of the group's most popular songs, including "Homeless," written by Paul Simon. We can be sure that Ladysmith's performance will be a joyous event.

Songlist: Introduction, Vulani Amasango (Open the Gates), Ngamthola, Hello My Baby, Abadala, King of Kings, Wena Othanda, Indanyezi Nezazi (Star and the Wiseman), Ngothandaza Njalo (I Will Keep on Praying), Rain Rain Beautiful Rain, Phansi Emigodini (Deep Down in the Mines), Homeless

The thirteen brand new tracks (first release of new material since 1977) on "Raise Your Spirit Higher - Wenyukela" reiterate the message that has transcended Black Mambazo's music since the group's earliest days. Survivors of the apartheid movement that divided South Africa for generations, the group widens their scope on this record and addresses many of the same kinds of struggles and cultural clashes that persist around the world. In English, the word Wenyukela means "raise your spirit higher," but the language of Shabalala's stirring and richly layered vocal compositions is universal. Raise Your Spirit Higher-Wenyukela is Black Mambazo's message of hope and unity to a troubled world.

Songlist: Wenyukela (Raise Your Spirit Higher), Uqinisil' Ubada (Lord Is the Light and Truth), Selingelethu Sonke, Wangibambezela (Message from His Heart), Wenza Ngani? (How Did You Do That?), Udidekil' Umhlaba (Lord's Work), Iyahlonipha Lengane, Wamlul' Umshado (Beautiful Wedding), Because I Love, Black Is Beautiful, Music Knows No Boundaries, Fak' Ibhande (Don't Drink and Drive), Tribute

As Joseph Shabalala said when he was talking about recording Shaka Zulu, "Umcolo uthokozisa abadabukileyo." This means, "singing makes all the sad people happy because it is the voice of happiness." It also means that he was overjoyed to have been able to record his first U.S. release which was produced by his good friend, Paul Simon. It was 1987, and after recording twenty five records in Africa his musical message was finally becoming international. That message was, and is today, take pride in your heritage, create joy in your life and embrace all people. The strength of the message and the beauty of its musical transmission was reason for Shaka Zulu being awarded a Grammy in 1987 for Best Traditional Folk Recording. It also marks the beginning of Joseph's habit of writing some songs in English in order to make his music more accessible to our very different culture. This is a great recording for introducing new listeners to Ladysmith's music.

Songlist: Unomathemba, Hello My Baby, Golgotha, King of Kings, Lomhlaba Kawunoni (The Earth Never Gets Fat), How Long?, Ikhaya Lamaqhawe (Home of the Heroes), Yibo Labo (These Are the Guys), Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain, Wawusho Kubani? (Who Were You Talking To?)

If you love world music, or more specifically, the music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, you are sure to love this academy award nominated documentary. Directed by Eric Simonson and spanning three continents, ON TIP TOE follows the captivating story of South African musician Joseph Shabalala and his unique singing ensemble. Best known on these shores for their innovative support on Paul Simon's Grammy-winning album, Graceland, Mambazo has crafted an extraordinary hybrid of traditional Zulu harmonies and unconventional Western influences, including gospel, ragtime, doo wop and even rock 'n roll. Made up of seven bass voices, a tenor, a male alto and Shabalala as lead vocalist, Mambazo amazingly incorporates the light, syncopated stomping of "Isicathamiya"(meaning "on tip toe"), a style born theough the strains of apartheid. This entertaining and informative documentary traces the fascinating origins of Shabalala's tuneful creations, featuring interviews with Paul Simon and extensive live footage of Mambazo's performances.