Shaka Zulu

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.

What if you took the BEST part of the BEST Paul Simon album, and you made THAT into its own album?

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

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

This album is just the boring parts of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” on loop for 36 minutes. It sounds like one long continuous song, couldn’t tell you the beginning or end of anything, it all blends together and it isn’t even in an interesting way.

Smooth record, and thought I recognized them from Paul Simon's Graceland album! Africa refreshes me :)

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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!

Uneventful chanting. I have no desire to listen to this album again.

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.

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.

I greatly enjoyed listening to this - all the layers of voices, meshing together to create a warm, auditory tapestry. That said, my untrained ear didn't discern much difference between the tracks. They all sort of melded together into one unified super-song.

These guys are so tight, their voices blend magnificently. It gets a little samey, but damn if it isn't beautiful.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FYI they have an excellent version of baa baa black sheep. Used to listen to them a bit when the kids were little.

Daylight come and me wan' watch the Lion King!

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.

The only thing I knew about this artist going in was the line to Lindsay Lohan from her mom in the movie Mean Girls when she tells her parents she's not going out with them: "But you love Ladysmith Black Mambazo!" I haven't seen that movie in maybe 20 years or so and never looked into the music but it ended up being exactly what I thought it would be. I didn't hate it. It's just not my thing I guess....

I'm too culturally separated from this stuff for me to fully appreciate it. They used to be featured on many an occasion in the music press back in the day, but I used to skip over it. So is is any good? I have no idea, as i have nothing to compare it with. But I liked the man who made the funny noises, because I am a child at heart. All I could think about was Paul Simon's Graceland, then I discovered why for obvious reasons. Good to see its not just Bob Geldorf who thinks it doesn't rain in Africa, even the locals sing it, so it must be true. I can't give it a 1, just because I don't understand it, as this could be the pinnacle of Adrican singing, so a 2 star seems fair.

I can understand why this seemed interesting, relevant and a message of hope in 1987 during the apartheid era. In 2014 it leaves me cold. I struggled to get through it. I'll give it a 2, simply on the basis of the fine performances, there's no doubt they are very good at what they do, and the technical quality of the recording.

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

Nope

Very interesting a capella album.

- voices as instruments .... beautiful -

It's a joyous, uplifting listening experience, superbly sung and full of beauty. It's a bit repetitive for a whole album but fabulous nonetheless.

Soothing and calming and joyously uplifting, so glad this is on the list and just what I needed today

Note: only 3 of 10 tracks currently available on Spotify. When I got around to locating this, it was a gorgeous listen. So much vocal talent and songsmithing. Highly recommend tracking down the whole thing.

The human voice is truly one of the most wonderful instruments, and the talent of the a capella singers here is a wonderful example of how much power the voice can have. Favorite track: "Golgotha"

reminds me of something exotic my grandparents would listen to

My high school English teacher told us “the best essay is a short, good essay. The worst is a long, bad essay.” This album (if you can call it an album?) is definitely a short, good one. My only complaint is that it’s Too $hort. 5 seconds in I had the same realization many of us probably did – ahhhhhh THIS is who was all over Graceland. Such beautiful harmonies. Of course I never bothered to look up who was backing Paul Simon and just gave him all the credit for discovering/arranging everything. Glad we had this album to highlight these guys. Going to dig around and see what other music of theirs I can find.

Graceland is one of my favorite albums of all time but I’d never heard these tunes, produced by Paul as a follow up. I went back and listened to Diamonds and Homeless today as well, so good. Thinking of this as a B side to Graceland, and 11 bonus minutes of these guys is pretty high ROI.

Excellent music

YESSSSS

I love this album so much. The rhythms and the gorgeous vocals I find so soothing and immersive. Very awesome.

Completely enveloping. No notes.

Quite enjoyable

This is buttery smooth and honey vocal textures. These guys had an unmistakable tone that I think colors the listening of other groups to western ears. This tone is iconic.

One of the best albums in this list. Saved it and I’m going to listen to more of their albums. Perfect background music for work.

BEAUTIFUL

There are some pieces of art that are so transcendent and perfect that it feels unnecessary to over consume them. There’s something special about them, some quality that means you can admire them only a few times in your life, and still feel the need to praise them to high heaven. La Dolce Vita is a great example, and I think Shaka Zulu fits that mould. There’s something so calming about it, I feel like it’d be a great album to write to., and the lyrics I understood all had the quality that I admire in Spingsteen and Chekhov, and admiration for the simple pleasures and minutiae of everyday life, told with a certain weariness, but no less affectionate because of it

Such an amazing album - the harmonies are incredible!

Lovely harmonies, loved this band since they collabed with Paul Simon!

Great

Rally nice, great voices!

From the very beginning, I am in love. The deep and round harmonies are warm as the African plains. Tight when necessary, this proverbial wisdom set to music still retains a loose whimsy that seems to harken back to the very roots of humankind. There is no need for a track-by-track individual review. Put on Ladysmith Black Mambazo and let them transport you to another world and time.

This is the Labçe album we all wanted

Gorgeous vocal album. Really cool and not something I think I would have otherwise listened to. The kind of album that makes the stinkers in this list worth it.

What an incredible choral sound. Amazing work.

Listening to this album was a joyful experience. I'm not sure how you could listen to this and not smile. The depth of sounds that these guys can produce with only their voices, is amazing. Liked Songs Added: - Unomathemba - Hello My Baby - How Long - Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain

Hilarious to remember this reference from Mean Girls. It was honestly a refreshingly beautiful album! Such a unique sound, original, peaceful, warm. Loved it

FYI: the 1001 generator page points to a version of this album where most songs are unavailable. The 30th anniversary version has all songs available: https://open.spotify.com/album/5GoqzAwIz3px7nSHXDOb3X Such a pleasant change of pace. I don’t know what they’re saying, but I find it comforting and hopeful. So much beauty in these voices, harmonies, and tones. I need more of this in my life. Easy 5 stars. 5/5 Highlights: Unomathemba Hello My Baby King of Kings Lomhlaba Kawunoni Ikhaya Lamaqhawe This Little Light of Mine

For 3 songs clocking in at 11 minutes I can find no faults.

spotify only has 3 of the 10 songs.

Gorgeous vocalization. I just love the depth of emotion and harmonization.

Masterpiece!

Outstanding

Great unique sounds but have heard so much of them and much of their music sounds similar to me. Curious about the books discussion of the “personal psycho-geographies of apartheid buried in the songs.”

Great and rich album.

😍

I love this group’s music. It is smooth and relaxing.

Iconic!

Amazing vocal melodies. This album instantly transports you to another time and place. It’s like the best parts of Paul Simon’s Graceland album times ten

THIS is what I'm here for. Beautiful and different, and I love it. 5/5

beautiful. moving. no notes.

I absolutely loved this. So short and sweet. Was weirdly moved by this on my walk this morning.

C'est magnifique. Les chœurs imposent presque un état de recueillement. Pratiquement tout est a cappella, sauf erreur de ma part.

Delicious music. Yum yum.

Fantastic, beautiful stuff. Don’t have a lot to say about it, just really, really good. I can see why Paul Simon wanted to work with them.

How the sounds on this album can be produced by only human voices amazes me. Of course everyone is familiar with Ladysmith Black Mambazo from Paul Simon's Graceland album but by removing Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo really shines here. Absolutely stunning. Makes me want to hear more from them. 5/5

A great performance! It’s soothing and relaxing but still has so much to offer.

Beautiful. The only way you can describe this album. The human voice fully on display. I can listen to this all day and never tire of it.

Looking at my cats while I listened to this record absolutely made me cry

So lovely. Close your eyes and sink into it. Or listen to it while on a train, like I did, and peacefully watch the landscape roll by.

Who doesn't love Ladysmith Black Mambazo?

Ethereal. Sweet heavenly music.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African choral group that was propelled to international fame for their contribution to Paul Simon's Graceland. Shaka Zulu is the album that the group release right after touring with Paul Simon. This Grammy winning album contains a collection of lovely songs with nothing outside of the sound of ten voices, in practiced, rich harmonies.

I listened to this album this morning (April 17, 2024) while I was reading my email. It brought me peace and energy to start what I know will be my busy day. I did not understand what they were singing but as I've said before, music has a way to calm and soothe the savage beast. Shaka Zulu did just that it calmed me and soothed me.

For some reason only three tracks were available to play.

love it, very soulful

A pleasure to listen to

Quite a unique and enjoyable listening experience. Probably the best acapella group I've ever listened to. 9/10

So... This was kind of I think exactly what I needed. I usually listen to albums periodically throughout the day. I tend to take breaks here and there. But the night before I was assigned to listen to this episode, my dad died. I was assigned this yesterday obviously. But I didn't get around to it until today. I listened to it while driving to my parents house to be with family. So it hit real hard. It was absolutely beautiful and I loved it. I think I will be coming back to this. It will hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for this.

This album, from beginning to end, is a shining gem!

Loved this album, such an enjoyed listen

This was so relaxing to listen to while working. Very soothing a capella.

It's rare to get an album in this exercise that you know will be a five start within the first 20 seconds of track one.

I had a recording of their acapella performances on VHS. I love them so much.

Beautiful and haunting

Although I don't understand everything they are saying, the vocals still speak to my soul. Damn this was good.

Peaceful

I love Graceland and I like this - so soothing and accomplished. 36 minutes whizz past and I want to play it again.