Product Description

Like its 2006 Grammy-Award winning predecessor, BLESSED, this 2007 recording offers chills-inducing, big-choir arrangements of some of the most uplifting songs from the gospel, pop, and township jive canons, including songs by Bono ("One")and Jimmy Cliff. The effortless blending of voices goes right to the heart, and the eclectic and inclusionary song listsays a little something about the universality of great music.

Track Listing

1. Seteng Sediba
2. Avulekile Amasango/One Love
3. I'll Remember You
4. Ke Na Le Modisa
5. Akahlulwa Lutho
6. Sitting In Limbo/This Little Light Of Mine/M'Lilo Vutha Mathanjeni/If You Ever Needed The Lord
7. Izwi Lahlab' Inhliziyo Yami
8. Africa
9. One
10. Hlohonolofatsa
11. Hosanna
12. Sefapano
13. By The Rivers Of Babylon
14. Modimo
15. Balm Of Gilead
16. Forever Young
17. Somlandela
18. Shosholoza
19. World In Union

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3831 in Music
• Released on: 2007-01-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .15 pounds

Amazon.com

For their third album African Spirit (the previous release, Blessed, won a 2007 Grammy for Best Traditional World Music Album), the now-world-famous ensemble of brave, passionate survivors, many of whom are living with HIV and AIDS, has crafted another heartbreakingly beautiful and inspiring program. They raise their voices in praise and hope, at peace with what cannot be changed but not remotely resigned about how to deal with it. The set list concentrates predominantly on South African spirituals but also includes pieces composed by Bono/U2 ("One"), Bob Dylan ("Forever Young"), and reggae icons Jimmy Cliff ("Sitting in Limbo"), and Bob Marley ("One Love"). There is even a rendition of "The World in Union", official anthem of 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, which is in turn based upon the "Jupiter" movement of Gustav Holst's The Planets. Some listeners may cavil at the crossover tracks, and Bono, heard live with the choir, certainly isn't shy about claiming his share of the spotlight. But building exclusionary fences around music has, thankfully, always been a colossal waste of time. Of whatever origin, each track is a miracle of fellowship, professed belief, and positive striving, interpreted by soloists and choristers of soul-deep, indestructible genius.--Christina Roden

African Spirit has been Nominated for the 2008 Grammy Awards as Best Traditional World Music Album.

Customer Reviews

Really heart warming
This CD is wonderful. I am a big fan of Soweto Gospel choir, some wonder harmonies. The traditional songs are my favourite. If you ever get the chance to see them 'live' you will truly be amazed. They sound just as good, if not better than their CD's.

African Spirit
Just brilliant. Inspirational group and really lovely album. Will have you dancing around the room - it does me anywaay! Get the DVD to see their energy in action.

African Spirit
CD arrived promptly and well packed.
Generally the content of the CD is as I expected and I enjoy listening to it. Like a few other "world music" Cds that I have ordered, some of the tracks are a bit over-orchestrated and lose some of the character and authenticity of the original sound.