Shaka Zulu is a 1987 album by South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Following the collaboration on Paul Simon's 1986 album Graceland which brought the group to international prominence, Shaka Zulu (produced by Simon) marked the band's first genuine international hit, securing them an American audience which would be built upon by the successes of Journey of Dreams (1988) and Two Worlds, One Heart (1990). Shaka Zulu was a collection of newly recorded versions of older Mambazo hits, such as "Unomathemba", "Hello My Baby" and "Lomhlaba Kawunoni". Shaka Zulu won a Grammy in 1988 for Best Traditional Folk Recording. The album was also featured in Robert Dimery's 2006 musical reference book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
There are only so many albums that I get three tracks into and think \"Wow, I need this album in my life.\" It's so peaceful and beautiful. The fact that I went through the whole album and never missed instruments is a tribute to the incredible brilliance of the arrangements. The whole album has the same feeling, but it never feels boring or like it's dragging. 5/5
Beautiful. I don't understand a word of it and I don't have to. The acapella harmonies wash over you and just leave you floating in a sea of sound. It alternates between lively and hauntingly beautiful. Sure, it gets pretty repetitive, almost hypnotic at times, and I felt my attention wandering which is why it doesn't get a 5-star review. But, despite that, it's a great album and I'm glad it's on this list.
Smooth record, and thought I recognized them from Paul Simon's Graceland album! Africa refreshes me :)
Shaka Zulu was pretty good, not sure if it was because of the mood i was in or what but it was decent background stuff. tammy thought it sounded a bit like african gospel. wither way the gods must be crazy I give it three empty coke bottles
Love it. The companion piece to Graceland. The real heart and soul of that album on full display here. So pure and recorded with just the right amount of "space" and reverb. Feels very present but also very comfortable. Love the balance and stereo play between the ears on headphones. The unaccompanied human voice is the purest and sometimes most powerful way to experience music. Would love to hear this performed in person so I could really feel the vibrations of those voices.
What if you took the BEST part of the BEST Paul Simon album, and you made THAT into its own album?
Beautiful vocal music, a treat for ears. This album not only improved my mood immensely, but also gave a feeling of such pure joy. Happy, full melodies, in combination with a great mix of vocals.
Absolutely beautiful singing. Felt like Red in Shawshank Redemption listening to opera in the prison yard: "To this day I have no idea what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is, I don't want to know. Some things are better left unsaid. I'd like to think they were singing about something so beautiful, it can't expressed in words, and it makes your heart ache because of it.” We read about Shaka Zulu, and talked about apartheid and Paul Simon, who produced this. Bought a copy on vinyl!
I loved listening to the melodies and sounds that made up the songs. This was absolutely beautiful, and I can see myself turning this music on again in the future.
This has been one of the absolute finds of this project for me. I was aware of LBM through the Paul Simon album Graceland, and seeing them on British TV in the 90s. I was pretty ambivalent towards them in my youth, and enjoy their embellishments on Graceland. This was an absolute delight though. The vocal arrangements are so delicate and perfectly put together, and it is simply a joy to listen to. Otherworldly; holy. Five stars - I will keep coming back to this.
It’s just so peaceful and blissful. Relaxing, weirdly enough. I love the harmonies and the rhythms of the vocals. Some mouth sounds, like clicking and hissing. Idk, I feel like I’m having a really nice spiritual experience. I really like it, but let’s be honest, they run together a lot. By the end of the record, I felt like I could really use some other instrumentation or something to break it up. The stomps and claps on the last track were so welcome.
First thought: weren't these guys "world music for people who don't like world music"? I sort of avoided them after hearing a couple of commercial crossover tracks, although they were good on Paul Simon's Graceland, which propelled them to stardom. I'm happily surprised by the quality of this. Great acapella harmonising with a small number of male voices. Recording seems fantastically done (and I think I read Paul Simon produced it?). There's a deep echo-ey resonance to the voices, which sail through the tracks, making it all sound easy. Personally, I find the English-language tracks aren't quite as enjoyable. Maybe it's because I can't understand the lyrics on the other tracks, so I'm just getting a pure enjoyment of the voices without literal meaning. Or maybe it's because these guys are more comfortable and practised in their native tongue. But in any case, it's still a solid album which makes me want to check them out more. 4/5. Edit: this also feels like a tokenistic inclusion on the list, given how little traditional/folk/ritual music is given coverage. But it would be stupid to hold this against the album itself.
Slick. Did some background reading (like everyone else I think) and discovered these guys were the backup on Simon's Graceland. Cool. You could easily put this music on in the background and have it run all day - not disturbing, occasionally noticing something really special. And I think that's both good and bad in that it kind of all blends together. But if you had to have something that does that, it would be this sound. Beautiful, positive energy.
I remember Ladysmith Black Mambazo from Paul Simon’s music and read that he produced this album. The harmonies are amazing and so chill, which is the point of this style of music. Wawusho Kubani sounds like the call and response of gospel mixed in with Stomp. How Long reminded me of Barbershop Quartet and Rain, Rain was like 50’s Early rock. Overall, I wish I understood more of the lyrics, but I really appreciated the talent of the singers.
I don't expect many other entries on the list to sound like this. That's a shame, as the recording captures something unique and captures it well. There's a definite devotional aspect to the songs, though they neither present themselves as a logical series nor explode into true long-form. There's something wrong-way-rubbing about "world" music. Not sure if it's contextual or actually in the aura of the music, but as the body percussion comes in at the end of the LP that feeling sharpens.
You love ladysmith black mabazo. And for good reason. Wonderful choruses building momentum with turns and cannons. Authentic unsacrificing sound with beautiful lyrics. When the sun says goodnight to the mountain.
"Shaka Zulu" is a studio album (I believe it is their 24th) from the South African male choral band Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The South African musical style is called isicathamiya which is best described by the European style a cappella. This album followed their collaboration with Paul Simon on his album "Graceland" and was actually produced by Paul Simon with assistance from Ladysmith Black Mambazo founding member Joseph Shabalala. This album is quite good. An album that lifts up your spirits. Great harmonies. The band recorded some older Mambazo songs as well as some actually in English. The album was the bands' first international hit and won the 1988 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Recording. "Unomathemba" begins things and the first thing you notice is the beautiful harmonies. It is happy sounding. They're laughing. They're keeping the rhythm with their feet stomping. The second song "Hello My Baby" is sung in English. There's kissing sounds. There is chanting. "Lomhlaba Kawawunoni (The Earth Never Gets Fat)" is one of my favorite songs on the album. Just beautiful harmonies. Sung in their native Zulu language. The album ends with "Wawusho Kubani? (Who Were You Talking To?)." More chanting. Hands clapping adds to the rhythm. Another song highlight. One of my favorite things about doing this challenge is coming across albums that you haven't heard before and you like. This album definitely is one of those. And if anyone likes the Paul Simon "Graceland" songs "Homeless"and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" you'll probably like this since Joseph Shabalala was featured prominently in those songs.
These guys are so tight, their voices blend magnificently. It gets a little samey, but damn if it isn't beautiful.
This is the type of album that makes me thankful for this project. I might not have been exposed to it otherwise and that would have been a shame. This album is equal parts energizing and relaxing. I will have to check out the rest of their albums.
3.5/5. I don't know what to think of this. I have never listened to anything like this before. It did not sound bad. I didn't necessarily enjoy listening to it, but I also did not dislike listening to it. Interesting stuff for sure.
No coneixia aquest grup i el meu desconeixement de la música africana és absolut. Música sense instruments, només amb veus, i amb un punt espiritual. He començat a escoltar-lo amb interés, però m'ha acabat cansant.
Can't do this either - bloody lion king graceland nonsense. Yes it is beautiful music, so is throat singing and polka, but I cannot listen to any of it
This is the first time I've listened to a full Ladysmith Black Mambazo album and I really dug it. It's one I will listen to again for sure!
So I’m a sucker for world music, so I love this so far, although the Spotify link says 1969, not 1987. Love.
lion king meets choir
Este es un buen ejemplo de porque este ejercicio vale la pena. Es un disco que de otra forma jamás hubiera escuchado, y quizás requiera paciencia y un estado de ánimo muy específico, pero en ese contexto es una joya.
Timeless
Deeply moving.
A masterpiece. 5/5 stars.
Phenomenally consistent harmonies
an absolute gem, who needs paul simon anyway
I find this extremely calming and beautiful. Wonderful that a group like this achieved international success.
Woah! I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Fantastic stuff!
This is the shit I am here for
Beautiful
This album was simply beautiful, coupled with the history of the album and the group, it's absolutely an album I would classify as an album that must be heard before you died.
Never knew this existed. Great music.
Pure, rich & beautiful tones. I was fascinated! Paul Simon connection?
Pure optimism. What a joy to listen to something that is musically amazing but resonates so powerfully.
Beautiful soothing sounds. Really pleasant relaxing easy listening.
Afrikaaa
35 years from first hearing this album I still can't find the words to properly describe it. I do enjoy it, though it isn't something that has been on regular rotation. Maybe that will change now
Graceful and soothing.
Only knew them from Graceland. This was a great listen.
Pure gold! This is the reason to have something like 1001 albums. Loved every minute and probably would not have found without this site!
Dope album. Virkelig vakkert!
Feckin love this record
Absolutely amazing! So unexpected, but so good! Took me to a magical, spiritual place, sounds great, lovely and unique technique.
Very calming, healing album. Goes great on a park stroll to just clear your head and energy. A lot of it blends together, language barrier issue but it smoothly transitions all the way through. Standout Tracks: Golgotha, Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain, Wausho Kubani? (Who Were You Talking To?)
Good shit. Calm, beautiful, peaceful
Another good album I never would have known
Definitely an album worth listening to. A unique sound and a joy to listen to. Yes, I just wrote that.
Cool album of beautiful a capella and amazing harmonies.
La verdad está muy chingón. "A surprise to be sure but a welcome one"
So peaceful and soothing.
Música africana. Shooting to fame as the vocal group on Paul Simon's classic album Graceland,
Great discovery!!!
Beautiful and soothing. A much appreciated sojourn.
I liked it.
vibez
I liked it!! Different than my usual sounds, but :)
Good background music to work to
Such nice vocal music. I listened to it while at work and it was just the right amount of relaxing.
Vibes. A little repetitive
Great harmonies, good music for cooking or working
South African a cappella band, I liked it more than I expected.
Really enjoyed this
Listening to this while walking through the Bird Sanctuary was like a religious experience.
Beautiful sounds and use of voices
I really enjoyed this album. Went and listened to Graceland by Paul Simon afterwards
Familiar sounds reminiscent of Paul Simon's Graceland Album - As it should...
Very very relaxing, Enya vibes. Not my thing but a good listen
Really enjoyed the album, even that guy that kept making that clicking noise. Relaxing and beautiful.
“Oh yeah, those guys from that Paul Simon album. Whatever happened to them…?” These guys are great. Always enjoy hearing them. A capella music is always so refreshing to listen to, and this one I know none of the songs. Nice palate cleanser.
Great harmonies. Very soothing.
Very pleasant and almost hypnotic sound. I can imagine that when this was first released it was groundbreaking.
Por un lado, qué bonitos y bien cuidados arreglos vocales. Creo que es el primer disco 100% a capella que nos ha tocado y me parece que es un gran ejemplo de algo que debes oír, aunque sea por abrir horizontes. Por otro lado, creo que todo lo no-occidental que hemos oído es africano, y quizá haya un tanto de sesgo en ese sentido. Eso, obviamente no le quita calificación a este disco.
Un disco muy muy chulo. La verdad en parte de eso siento que se trata el discos que "debes" escuchar, también es el punto de conocer y adentrarte en estilos musicales tradicionales que normalmente se pasan por alto. De todas las cosas con sonido africano que nos ha tocado esta es la más sencilla, auténtica y tradicional, aparte de ser un estilo de canto que me agrada mucho. Me hace pensar que me encantaría que hubiera algun disco por ejemplo de cantos de tuvan mongol, o canto tibetano, un disco de una obra de kabuki, hay muchos estilos musicales que cuadrarían perfecto en el punto de cosas que "debes" escuchar al menos una vez, dudo mucho que llegue a esos puntos la lista pero al menos esta entrada es agradable de ver. Punto interesante (y esperaría que no fuera la única razón por la que hubieran caido aquí o no habrá más cosas de este tipo) es que el grupo cantó con Paul Simon en el disco de Graceland y de ahí fue que se dieron un poco a conocer.
Something different on the list. A great sound, really calming and relaxing
This is another band I came across quite randomly when searching for something different. I went to browse the foreign section of a record store and picked the one LBM LP they had (it wasn't the one 1001 sent us) since, based on the cover photo, they didn't look like they would be playing the same crap the radio stations were force feeding us. The picture sung a thousand words! Their singing is beautiful and they create lovely melodies without instruments. My personal music culture makes it tough to listen to an entire album of a capella. In the late 90s they put out an album that had Dolly Parton on lead vocals. On that LP they had instruments on the DP song and some other songs which mixed it up nicely.
Really great. Didn’t realise they’d been going for that long but just a great sound.
Ótima revelação de música africana.
Probably the most unique thing on this list so far. From the Graceland album. This was really badass but it’s definitely not something I could listen to every day. Fave tracks: “How Long”
Beautiful harmonies!
Relaxing, joyous, blissful human voices in perfect harmony.
Eens iets anders dan ik gewoon ben. Ik zou hier op bijvoorbeeld 'Festival Dranouter' ongetwijfeld zeer hard van kunnen genieten. Het heeft iets gospelachtig, maar tegelijk wel dromerig. Maar ik ben niet compleet overdonderd
Really good introduction to their sound and very relaxing to listen to. Without knowing the lyrics, a whole album almost felt like listening to Gregorian chants or renaissance choral works.
For sure worked with Paul Simon. It's the spine of some of later work and you can hear it's influence over the last 35 years.
Lovely
Prekrasno. Slušala sam album ujutro u krevetu sa slušalicama i 30 minuta nisam o ničemu razmišljala
At last, something different! Beautiful. To those who think Paul Simon exploited them, note that they had been together since the 1960s and recording from 1973 - yet no-one knew who they were outside of South Africa, until he brought them to worldwide attention practically overnight. Ask how exploited they feel about that.
They are fantastic, this album is transcendental.
really really cool listen
It was good until it jumped into some sort of fusión electrónica but then I realized Spotify just jumped to something else. So, it was quite enjoyable
Falleg plata, dásamlegar raddir og harmoníur.
Listen to this album at full volume. This album neeeeeds its full dynamic range. I listened to the first half in class. I had it about half volume so I could still hear the lecture. I didn’t reallly care about what was going on in the album. I was kinda bored and wanted it to end. During passing period I turned it all the way up and BAM it was beautiful. I noticed the difference right away so I restarted the album. It’s so smooth. The harmonies are like butter. I feel like I’m being sung a lullaby. It is a very very serene album.
an incredibly serene album. the harmonies are beautifully done. listening to this album was calming and immersive, even with how simple it was! i thoroughly enjoyed listening to this :) the mouth sounds (e.g. clicking, hissing) were an interesting and lovely addition to the singing. it adds another level to the a capella. i really appreciate this diverse recommendation and would love to hear more like it!
This was my first time hearing a full album from Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I have heard many songs from them and I have seen them in concert. "Rain, Rain Beautiful Rain” was the only track that seemed familiar to me. The rest was new, but in the familiar Ladysmith Black Mambazo style. "Unomathemba" was my favorite track and a great way to open the album as the deeper voices began filling in behind the lead vocals. Not a lot stood out from this album, but because I know that I enjoyed this listen, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo are a group that I like, I might be back for a second listen in the future.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Wasn't expecting this! What a pleasant surprise! It's not really in their full power but very clean and light. There should be more African a capella music out there!
O takie picki wlasnie nic nie robilem, powiew swiezosci prosto z afryki, moze tak prosto, bo plyta prawdopodobnie byla nagrywana w tym samym studio co Graceland Paula Simona, nie jest to bez znaczenia, bo tak jak ladysmith black mambazo mial swoj udzial w nagraniach materialow u Simona, tak Simon jest obecny na tym krazku jako osoba odpowiedzialna za produkcje i miedzynarodowy sukces tego zespolu z Ladysmith RPA, Shaka Zulu to 36 minutowy album zawierajacy jedynie wokale, wiec w zachodnim okresleniu gatunku bylby to album a cappella, ale w afryce na taka forme muzyki mowi sie isicathamiya, oznacza on tradycyjna muzyke ludu Zulusow, ktora bialy czlek rozpozna zwlaszcza po klikaczowych dzwiekach ktore spiewacy potrafia z siebie wydawac, juz wczesniej pojawila sie na liscie podobna pozycja od Pani Miriam Makeba, ktora podeszla do tematu bardziej w stylu muzyki popularnej, natomiast panowie z black mambazo daja bardziej kaplicowego viba, dodatkowo idealnie zbalansowana jest ilosc utworow w jezyku angielskim i zulu, czlowiek slucha czegos z czego slowa nie rozumie zeby plynnie przejsc do czegos rownie egzotycznego, ale juz z slowami ktore potrafi rozszyfrowac, rownie ciekawe jest jak jeden sukces potrafi zbudowac inny, gdyby pana Simona nigdy nie wywialo do afryki i akurat do tamtych rejonow, to o kapeli pewnie nikt poza rodzinnym krajem sie nie dowiedzial, a tak po sukcesie gracelanda udalo im sie sprzedac tak unikalne brzmienie szerszemu gronu sluchaczy i prawie 40 lat pozniej zespol nadal funkcjonuje, prowadzi fundacje majaca promowac kulture i muzyke zulu i nadal jest sluchany, jak nawet na urodzinach u krolowej z buckingham grali w 2k18, z 10 kawalkow na plejke rzuce po jednym z obu jezykow, zulusowm pickiem bedzie otwierajacy unomathemba, z angielskiego natomiast deszczowy song, zupelnie inne zabarwienie emocjonalne ma deszcz jesli jest spiewany przez kogos z czarnego kontynentu, wiec rain, rain, beautiful rain