Track Listing

1. Tribute
2. Because I Love You
3. Wenyukela
4. Wenza Ngani
5. Dlondlobalo Njalo
6. Sandlwana
7. Mbayimbayi
8. Black Is Beautiful
9. Uqinsile Ubaba
10. Udidekeli Umhlaba
11. Iningi liyabon Ububende
12. Wangibambezela
13. Wamuhle Umshado
14. Phalamende
15. Faki Bhande
16. Music Knows No Boundaries
17. Halala South Africa

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #172262 in Music
• Released on: 2003-05-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Raise Your Spirit Higher (Wenyukela) is Ladysmith Black Mambazo's first completely a cappella album to be given international release in many years. And the fact that it's actually composed of tracks licensed from two recent albums on their South African label (Gallo) doesn't diminish the impact this CD will have on fans who may have felt some of their recent more commercial collaborations diminished their original appeal. Things kick off totally out-of-character with a brief angry R&B flavoured rap by the grandsons of lead singer Joseph Shabalala. The song is directed at the man who shot and killed Joseph's wife Nellie in May 2002, and there's a distinct feel of catharsis coursing through many of the subsequent songs all featuring just Joseph and his nine-man choir. It's almost as if refocusing on unaccompanied singing has sharpened their powers. Certainly the song structures are surprisingly varied and engaging, with the group setting up fantastically fluid waves of rhythm and cross rhythm, using only their voices. The few songs in English address social ills such as racism and drink-driving but most of the material is in Zulu, with Ladysmith's trademark clicks, pops, growls and whinnies punctuating their exquisite harmonies and call-and-response melodies. This is a strong contender for world music album of 2003. --Jon Lusk

CD Description
Perhaps no other singing group embodies the rich South African heritage of mbube and Iscathamiya singing more than Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Traditionally, these musical styles arestructured around a call and response between a vocal soloist and an ensemble of backing singers. Such is the case withRAISE YOUR SPIRIT HIGHER, a beautiful, deeply sacred album that speaks volumes about a people's ability to overcome great odds.
Lyrically, these songs seek to redefine and reclaim African tribal identity. At the same time, this music underscores the collective experience of all persons and all races. Centering on love and compassion, tunes such as "MusicKnows No Boundaries" and "Black Is Beautiful" pay powerful tribute to the underprivileged and the disenfranchised. Other selections on this album reflect this group's profound spiritual calling. For example, "Uqinisil' Ubada", ("Lord Is the Light and Truth") and "Wenyukela" ("Raise Your Spirit Higher") emphasize the faith-based repertoire of this ensemble. On all of these pieces, lush vocal harmonies are set againsta stark solo voice. This creates a series of compelling ebbs and flows, and dramatic musical transformations.

Customer Reviews

A great album
A great album to listen to everyday almost, the songs I highly recommend. They are like chillout tracks, I especially like 'Wami Uthanda Umuntu' / 'Because I Love You'. That song is being performed at their concerts over the UK. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the great music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo!