Shaka Zulu

It was interesting while I was listening to it but it didn't really leave me with any strong feelings.

Not my jam.

Nice to listen to a couple, then got boring with the lack of variety in a cappella

As far as quality of sonic value, this rates extremely high. But it's not exactly radio friendly. I will almost certainly never listen to this album again but again it was Sonically pleasing.

This is something I respect more than I like. A cappella music is cool in concept but it's not something I ever want to listen to.

Meh

Realising I'm probably just not a fan of a cappella, just sounds a bit empty to me. I could really do without hearing the lip smacking on every other song as well.

Simply wonderful

I have always loved venturing around and discovering a plethora of new sounds, and while I have had very varied opinions on them all I am always happy to be trying something new each and every time. Shaka Zulu is one of those projects I am not crazy about whatsoever, but I am very happy I heard as I experienced something new I have never seen before. This Zulu Acapella album is very telling of some of the music the members of Lasysmith Black Mambazo were raised around. It is a very introspective album into the culture and collective that infuses Ladysmith Black Mambazo's music, but it isn't anything I feel strongly about. It is a fine project that I am definitely not the target audience for, but to call this album "bad" is to truly overlook its' very rich ideas. I am also just not an acapella person and I am more than happy to admit that. Very cool project on paper, but musically I just couldn't be more interested in what it shows.

Beautiful, haven't listened to them for ages and it was nice to rediscover them. I was spotting the similarities with doowop this time, which was interesting.

I can respect this album, but it is not really my thing at all. You have to make some truly crazy music for me to care a cappella music, and this just doesn't do much. A lot of the songs sound exactly the same... And they are fine at best. Low 3.

It's pretty good I'm not great on the spatial sound that this album has but it nice I liked it

favs: golgotha ikhaya lamaqhawe rain, rain, beautiful rain this little light of mine rating 1.8/5

Might not be their finest work, and the 514 bass thing definitely feels over-used, but still, I do find this a moving and joyful listen.

I couldn’t lock into this — it’s not in US streaming services, so a YouTube ad punctuated every song — though it’s still quite beautiful

Calming

Well I didn’t find the exact album but a 30th anniversary or something version of it? Regardless, cool African vocal music.

If you are a fan of Graceland by Paul Simon, not sure how you can dislike this record. That said, I think you can pick the first two songs and any other three or four off the record and you have an EP i would enjoy listening all the way through. For me, the record is about 20 minutes longer than I'd like it to be, so that's why it gets a 3 not a 4. Still super enjoyable.

Primal. Powerful. Joyous. Pure.

Love it. Cool and relaxing.

very pretty. too bad this isn't on tidal

tatsächlich a capella -> paul simon . c

Great way to start the day.

beautiful, but a little monotonous

Shaka Zulu by Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a stunning record. Like most English speakers listening to this, I can’t understand the majority of the lyrics, but it really doesn’t matter. The voices and harmonies are so beautiful that the music completely wins you over anyway. The a cappella singing is incredible. The way the different voices come together is probably the highlight of the whole album for me. At times it’s lively and uplifting, and then suddenly it becomes hauntingly beautiful. You don’t need to understand the words to feel the emotion in the music. There is naturally some repetition to the sound and it can become almost hypnotic at times. My attention wandered slightly towards the end, which is probably what stops this being a 5-star album for me. Thankfully, it doesn’t outstay its welcome, and the running time means the repetition never becomes a major problem. This is exactly the sort of album I’m glad this challenge introduces me to. It’s completely different from most of the music I would normally choose to listen to, but it’s beautifully performed and absolutely deserves its place on the list. Favourite track: Difficult to pick one. Every track is beautifully put together and the harmonies are stunning throughout. Least favourite track: I couldn’t pick one. Nothing on the album is bad. Album artwork: Stunning album cover. Simple but really striking.

Nice I guess not in the mood.

Nice to experience some world music that I would never normally seek out. Not something I want to listen to every day, but I enjoyed the harmonies and gentle rhythms.

I’m alright

i was hyped to see more international music, but its boring. Just gospel singing without any instruments.

smooth and relaxing. Great early morning listen.

The vocal harmonies are always a pleasure to hear but all too often they’re somewhat repetitive

Cool vibe

Beautiful album, probably not an everyday listen but I loved it

1.6

Interesante, muy diferente, pero definitivamente de paso Conocer de otras culturas es interesante, hay que verlo con apertura, y en este caso que curioso que resulta el hecho que la música tiene muchas formas, colores, texturas, composiciones, etc... Y aún así, puede evocar ciertas emociones, sensaciones a pesar de que la letra no se entienda o que no se usen instrumentos

to passada, acho que nunca tinha ouvido música sul-africana antes. bom pra ampliar meu repertório!

Cool!!!

Don't understand how this made the list

1. "Hello My Baby" 2. "Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain" 3. "Who Are You Talking To?"

Great as a backing to Graceland but album just too intense for me

Just didn’t get into it at any point.

00:30 - holy shit, what an intro. This should be awesome 36:30 - still waiting for the intro to end

This was fine. It gets a little monotonous for me personally, I'm not really into just choral works in general. I know that vocal harmonies were catnip to Robert Dimery so I can see why this was added. It probably is also culturally significant.

Just not interesting to me……

Good but it got a little repetitive. Maybe just because I can't understand the lyrics but it started to sound really samey by the 8th track.

cool but starts to taper in appeal for me towards the latter half. i wonder if capturing this in a studio and etching it on a slab of vinyl is divorcing it from its proper context too much?

And for the last time ever, we have an album that I had to go to YouTube to listen to. I thought that this album was on streaming, but apparently that's a rerecording made for the album's 30th anniversary, so I had to go to YouTube for it. But was it worth it? Well, considering the fact that I'm trying to listen to every album on this list, yes it was! But if it wasn't on this list and I still decided to listen to it anyway, would I have spent my time well with this album? Sure, I guess. This isn't really the kind of album that I listen to all that much, but I see value in this. This is Ladysmith Black Mambazo's 1987 album Shaka Zulu. This album is entirely a cappella, and I'm pretty sure that it's the only one of its kind on this list. Even Björk's Medúlla had a little bit of non-vocal instrumentation on it. This is just a group of guys from South Africa singing with no instrumentation behind it. I absolutely respect what this album is going for, but I do have complaints. While the songs were nice, they did get quite repetitive and didn't capture my attention a whole lot. I can admire the fully a cappela sound and the vocal talents of LBM's members, but the lack of extra instruments means that each song kinda sounds the same. They all sound nice, but they the sound the same. The language barrier on some off the songs definitely doesn't make things easier. I'm sure they're singing about nice things though. I mean, "Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain" seems to be a song about beautiful rain. Crazy, I know, but it's a nice source of inspiration nonetheless. I get the appeal of this album, and I can see what Paul Simon saw in these guys when making Graceland, but I have my own personal preferences for the kind of music that I enjoy the most, and a cappela gospel album isn't exactly a part of those preferences. Shaka Zulu is a nice listen for sure, but it certainly wasn't made for me personally. I've got nothing against it, but there's not much drawing me towards loving it either. 3/5.

Beautiful and soothing. I prefer the ones in Zulu.

Sounded good but a bit boring. Wouldn't listen normally

Got Graceland and then this a few days later. Doesn't SEEM very random! This is nice, any one with ears can tell this is good music made by talented by people. Just not something I'm ever going to turn. Glad I had a chance to sit down with it for a bit though.

Impressive that there is no instruments. Does feel like instruments would make it more interesting to me though, as it gets a little one-note at times. Not bad by any means, just very limited in what it can achieve for me personally. 3/10.

I've been listening to this on repeat. Definitely an album everyone should listen at least once in their lifetime.

Diverting enough, wouldn't seek it out.

Very pleasant.

I really enjoyed this, but it’s one of those albums that probably is catching me at the right time. Serve me up this album on a different day and who know but this is repetitive and hypnotic in a pleasant way. You don’t need to know what they are saying, they just provide you a pleasant sound bath to experience.

Songs are pretty cool. The vocal harmonies are interesting but the album is a whole is too much. I like listening to them. Everybody liked Graceland when you add the western elements by the fourth a cappella song it was just a little bit too much.

This is the first time I’ve listened to a full album with no instruments, just voices. It was strange how easy it was to take for granted.

Beautiful voices together. Very different from my usual music but really nice.

the epitome of what world albums in this list should be; brief, to the point, and completely unique from anything else you could hear. absolutely something i enjoyed listening to, though i don't think i'd ever come back to it. 4/5

beautiful, flows seamlessly from one to the next

It was great but I will admit I became a bit bored towards the end. I feel I shouldn't have but I did.

Quite enjoyed - lovely rhythmic peaceful sound

This was well worth the listen

Could not find it to listen to

Amazing voices, quite nice to listen to

Wonderful to listen to, amazing vocalists with a very interesting story who deserve all the recognition. Just can't go much higher than a 3 for an album I'll probably never casually listen to again.

it was ok but got very samey very fast

Not bad. Didn’t understand much, but was interesting to listen to. 3/5

This was a nice palate cleanser. Very mild and enjoyable.

This was actually pretty chill to work to. There were moments of wet lip sounds that made it a tough headphone listen but otherwise, pretty chill. 3 stars

I want to live inside this.

This is very pretty! I love that there are no instruments but yet it feels complete without them. The bass vocals are so smooth and grounded. GPT mentioned something about Paul Simon that I thought was interesting The Paul Simon connection is important here. Ladysmith Black Mambazo became internationally famous through Graceland, and Shaka Zulu was produced by Paul Simon after that exposure. So this album is part of that late-80s moment when a lot of Western listeners were being introduced to South African vocal traditions through the pop/world-music boom. That also makes it culturally complicated in the broader Graceland conversation, but musically the group themselves are absolutely the center of gravity here. intricate male a cappella harmony, but not in the barbershop-quartet way. It’s softer, warmer, more circular, more communal. The voices move like one organism: bass voices anchoring the floor, higher voices floating over the top, little call-and-response phrases, gentle rhythmic pulse, and that smooth stepping/dancing quality underneath it. I've enjoyed this album thus far. There's a reverence to it. Almost hymn like. Rain, Rain Beautiful Rain is really pretty. 4 big stars. Not quite 5 but close enough.

5.5/10

This is surely interesting. The vocal harmonies are delicious, and there is a hypnotic feeling while listening to this album that is wonderful. If there is a word for this album, aside delicious, or delicate, is beautiful. Really beautiful. It surely is not the kind of music I like to listen to, but I do not mind to sometimes take a break and find something as sweet, pleasant and also unique as this album. It is a full a capella album and, still, it feels very warm. It is almost ritualistic, in the way the voices come and go, over and over, accompanying each other in a kind of sway. It is wonderful. It has something really catchy and enigmatic that traps you even being just a vocal album. The harmonies are so very well accomplished. But, if I stick to a more subjective side, sure, it is not much of my taste. I've been very pleased to listen to it, but it is still an album that lacks of some more variety in the melodies. The songs are wonderful as tranquil tracks to listen to. And, as background music, I'm sure it really works well, but I don't think as an album it stands that hugely, as a conscious listening. Then, I would need to talk about ways of listening to music, and, for sure, there is no correct one. But I like to pay attention, and I don't feel I have much to find in here. It is mostly a soft sequence of lovely songs. So, I don't know, have I liked this? Yes, sure. Is this a well delivered record? Sure, and pretty original too. Will I listen to it in the future again? I'm not so sure... That's the point, it's really lovely, and beautiful, but I don't think it is an album I will be willing to listen to again. Maybe yes, but not in the recent future. So, maybe I'll change my mind, but for today, I'll just say that it is nice, even more than nice, but not my cup of tea. It works well because of its length, but I don't see me listening to this album in repeat. Oh, I would love to love it, but it is not the case.

3 out of 5. Kinda blends together but great vocal harmonies here.

captivating, lovely, relaxing... but, sadly, not really worth coming back to

Background in the very best way

# An In-Depth Review of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's *Shaka Zulu* ## Introduction Released in 1987, *Shaka Zulu* stands as a landmark album that introduced the rich, harmonious traditions of South African *isicathamiya* music to a global audience . Following the group's breakout collaboration with Paul Simon on his seminal *Graceland* album in 1986, this Warner Bros. release marked Ladysmith Black Mambazo's first genuine international hit . The album went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Recording in 1988 and has been featured in Robert Dimery's *1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die* . ## The Music & Vocal Style The album showcases the signature *isicathamiya* style—a tradition born in South African mines where workers would sing in harmonies during their time off . The name itself means "tip-toe," referencing the soft dance movements developed to avoid disturbing security guards during these gatherings . The vocal architecture is staggering. Joseph Shabalala's grainy tenor sits prominently in the mix, described by critic Robert Christgau as a voice "anybody but a devoted family man would go solo with tomorrow" . The harmonies layer tenor, alto, and bass voices into what one reviewer calls "an almost ecosystem of sound where every part is integral to the others functioning" . The group's ability to create such rich textures entirely a cappella is genuinely remarkable. ## Production & Paul Simon's Influence Paul Simon's production is tasteful and restrained—a crucial factor in the album's success . Engineer Roy Halee "separates the harmonic elements just enough to enhance their fit," allowing the intricate vocal interplay to breathe while maintaining clarity . This is not a heavy-handed production; rather, it presents the group's pristine vocal work with minimal interference . This accessibility was intentional. With lyric sheets provided and four songs performed in English, the album was specifically crafted to welcome Western listeners . Tracks like "Hello My Baby" demonstrate this approach, balancing Zulu tradition with English phrasing that makes the music feel inviting rather than exotic . ## Themes & Lyrics The thematic content operates on multiple levels. The album pays homage to Shaka Zulu, the legendary warrior chief who united the Zulu nation through military and diplomatic cunning . This isn't merely historical tribute—for the group, Shaka represented unity and perseverance, qualities deeply resonant during apartheid . The group's music had a complex political role. During apartheid, traditional music was considered a threat, yet Ladysmith's message of peace and brotherhood remained consistent . Albert Mazibuko of the group noted that "music was our weapon"—their singing often inspired peaceful resistance . The album's "generalized gospel yearning" also reflects the group's Christian influences, blending religious sentiment with cultural celebration. Songs touch on courtship ("Yibo Labo" warns that "there usually are problems with secret lovers / The elders never approve") , spiritual themes ("At Golgotha," "King of Kings"), and wisdom ("The Earth Is Never Satisfied") . This variety prevents the album from becoming monochromatic. ## Influence & Legacy *Shaka Zulu* successfully established Ladysmith Black Mambazo as cultural emissaries of South Africa . The album's Grammy win opened doors for subsequent collaborations with artists ranging from Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson . More importantly, it helped introduce world music to mainstream audiences, building on the foundation laid by *Graceland* . The group has since recorded over 40 albums and received multiple additional Grammy nominations . Their music has appeared in films including *The Lion King, Part II* , and they continue to inspire young South Africans to form choirs and engage in singing competitions . ## Pros **Exquisite vocal harmonies:** The interplay between tenor, alto, and bass voices creates a breathtaking sonic landscape that remains unparalleled . **Accessible yet authentic:** With lyric sheets and English-language songs, the album successfully bridges cultures without sacrificing artistic integrity . **Pristine production:** Paul Simon and Roy Halee's restrained approach allows the voices to shine, separating elements just enough for clarity . **Cultural significance:** The album serves as an important introduction to Zulu culture and *isicathamiya* music for Western audiences . **Timeless appeal:** The album's warmth and beauty have aged remarkably well . ## Cons **Lack of stylistic variety:** Some listeners find the album blends together, with few tracks standing out as distinct . The consistent mood can border on "one note" . **Gospel-adjacent sound:** Those averse to choral or gospel music may find the album too reverent or "relaxed" for their taste . **Limited emotional range:** While beautiful, the album maintains a fairly narrow emotional register—warm and uplifting throughout, rarely venturing into more challenging or dynamic territory . **Short running time:** At approximately 36 minutes, the album is brief, perhaps leaving the listener wanting more . ## Conclusion *Shaka Zulu* is a genuine classic—an album that successfully transplants a rich South African vocal tradition into the international mainstream. Its beauty lies in its restraint: the harmonies are pristine, the production respectful, and the cultural significance immense. The album does what few "crossover" records achieve—it remains true to its roots while embracing a broader audience. The criticisms are fair: it can feel somewhat homogeneous, and its gospel-tinged warmth may not appeal to everyone. But *Shaka Zulu* was never trying to be edgy or adventurous. It aimed to share the beauty of *isicathamiya* with the world, and in that mission, it succeeded spectacularly. As one reviewer aptly noted, "the sheer sound is gorgeous enough to embarrass most Americans" . For those willing to embrace this warmth, the album rewards with one of the most exquisite vocal experiences in recorded music.

It was just what you’d expect. Kind of enjoyable.

It's fine, but I'm not interested.

Fine but it's extremely repetitive

Another chocolate-cake-from-Matilda album for me where a single track is charming but a whole album is a bit much. Sounded like one track for the whole time. Rating: 2

Was midway through the third song and thought to myself - there is something very different about this. Took me a few minutes to realize the entire album is a capella. The voices are like finely tuned instruments. Really amazing and quite pleasant to listen to.

It’s because of this group that I thought I liked Paul Simon! Other worldly vocals

I find this both relaxing and uplifting

Still hate this genre of music. Keep trying still hate it.

I like the first couple of songs okay, but the rest was too slow for my liking. 2 stars or D+.

What a beautiful album! Gourgeous from start to end! The harmonies is what stuck out the most for me.

This is lovely. I did not know their work independent of Paul Simon's 'Graceland' (which I love) but I really enjoyed this.

What a perfect album! Great length, harmonies on point, this is an absolute gem and precisely why I have been working through the 1001 project. Easy 5/5, wish this was more accessible streaming as it would have regular plays from me!!

Really beautiful and moving record. The harmonies are so soothing and inspiring. This is a record I may not have ever come to know if it weren't for this project, and I'm happy I've discovered it. It's full of gentle progressions and transitions, creating a flowing story that keeps the energy moving.

Soothing and nice vibes

Wow, I just listened to Graceland, and was saying that I wanted to check out some of the featured artists on there! It’s cool that I got this one so soon after! I bet it’ll totally be available on the streaming platform I use, and I won’t have to find it on YouTube, where it’ll be interrupted by ads! This one’s difficult for me to review, as it’s not a genre I’m very familiar with, and I don’t speak the language. That said, I can trust my own ears, and this thing sounds beautiful. Watching musicians work together to form a greater whole is just a beautiful thing—especially when they’re in a choir. The harmonies are fantastically composed, and it’s great a cappella in the sense where you don’t even notice there aren’t instruments unless you really think about it. In the few English passages, the lyrics are rich and vivid, and I assume that the songs written in Zulu have just as lovely lyrics—if not better by virtue of being in the singers’ primary language. My favorite song is “Wausho Kubani,” because it sticks out for not being entirely a cappella, which makes it a fantastic choice for a closing track. I also love the call and response throughout, which adds a lively, almost interactive feeling to it. Ultimately, this is a very beautiful project, and very relaxing to listen to. I’ll definitely be checking out more of their stuff in the future.

Lion King ahh music

Wonderful on "Graceland"... not so much on own, but very talented! 974

This is really relaxing album. Enjoyed it a lot on the background of busy office day. It sounds like Graceland without Paul Simon, which is no surprise as the same duo is present here. Good stuff!

#470 / 1089 Heard before? ❌ Revisit? ❌ While I dislike folk, I don't turn away "traditional world music" in general. I need to start making a disctintion that I truly hate americana music particularily, and British modern folk, which are sometimes referred to just as folk music as well, very annoying. On that note, I can say that Shaka Zulu didn't impress me much either. It's got beautiful melodies and pretty singing, but it does not have any music on it that has any interest to me. Religious tones alone push me away. A shrugging 2/5 score from me.

Absolutely beautiful album. The harmonies are so wonderful, it fills me with joy hearing them sing. Huge shame this album is no longer on spotify

Iron Maiden, Megadeth et Anthrax jeudi au Parc Jean-Drapeau. Les vestes à patches seront à l'honneur.

Awimbowé awimbowé awimbowé awimbowé... Style de musique très populaire dans les 80s-90s, faur croire, y'a qu'à voir Graceland et le roi lion. J'aime bien, a capella, et des chanteurs très talentueux, quoi qu'un peu répétitif. Les zulu sont cools.