Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Raise Your Spirit Higher (Wenyukela)Wrasse Records WRASS 100, 2003
01. Wenyukela 4:51
02. Uqinisil' Ubaba 3:53
03. Selingelethu Sonke 4:16
04. Wangibambeleza 4:59
05. Wenza Ngani 4:36
06. Udidekil' Umhlaba 4:31
07. Lyahlonipha Lengane 4:07
08. Wamlul' Umshado 4:03
09. Because I love 4:08
10. Black is Beautiful 3:28
11. Music knows no Boundaries 3:05
12. Fak' Ibhande 3:25
13. Tribute 1:16
It's been 17 years since Ladysmith Black Mambazo's gorgeous vocal harmonies poured the foundation for Paul Simon's landmark 1986 album Graceland, an album that catapulted the South African a cappella gospel group into the international consciousness and led to worldwide stardom, a Grammy, film soundtracks, and candy commercials. Fans of the group's intricately arranged vocal landscapes will be pleased to know that all that ensuing attention hasn't diluted the group's appeal. Their latest CD, Raise Your Spirit Higher, is as strong as anything the group has recorded in its now 30-year career. Ladysmith has always defined itself by merging Christian gospel music with a native South African musical tradition called isicathamiya, which was developed by mine workers who sang to entertain themselves after their grueling work. That tradition continues here, with several tracks like "Uqinisul' Ubada (Lord is the Light and Truth)" and "Udidekil' Umhlaba (Lord's Work)", devoted to Christian themes. Since the group sings in their native Zulu, however, Ladysmith's international appeal has always been in the stunning variety of sounds they are able to produce with their voices alone, and Raise Your Spirit Higher is no exception. The percussive clicking sounds on "Selingelethu Sonke" and Wangibambezela" are otherworldly, and the gorgeous call-and-response between leader Joseph Shabalala and the group on "Wenza Ngani?" shows that the group's polish hasn't lost anything since "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes." The most moving track on the album though, is the closing "Tribute", sung by Shabalala's grandsons in tribute to their grandmother, tragically murdered in 2002 during the recording of this album. - Ezra Gale
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Raise Your Spirit Higher has won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album. The 47th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, on February 13, 2005.
Against a backdrop of political upheaval and personal tragedy, the group's first studio recording in over five years held the #1 spot on Billboard's World Music chart for several months. Ladysmith Black Mambazo are currently on tour in the United States promoting their latest release, No Boundaries.
"We are so grateful and proud to have been awarded the Grammy Award this year. It's a humbling moment," says Joseph Shabalala, founder and leader of the world-renowned Zulu singing group. "The members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and I accept this award, not just as recognition for our songs, but for our culture, our people and our country. South Africa, our home, continues its evolution as a wondrous place filled with a rich heritage."
"We are honored that the Academy has recognized Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and we are hopeful this Grammy shines a bright spotlight on the music and people of South Africa," says Heads Up President Dave Love. "Coinciding with the ten-year anniversary of the demise of apartheid makes it that much more special."
South African President Thabo Mbeki said, "The Grammy Award that has been so spectacularly won by Ladysmith Black Mambazo makes us all proud to be South Africans. The people and government of South Africa salute this remarkable group on their achievement and wish them continuing success in the future."
The group was performing in Arizona the night of the Grammy Awards and were not able to receive the trophy directly. On the last night of their recent tour of the USA, performing in front of a sold out audience at Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts, the group was surprised on stage as they were finally presented the Grammy Award. Up until this moment they had not seen the trophy that they had been awarded in February 2005.
320 kbps mp3; including full booklet scans
http://rapidshare.com/files/100583368/LBM-RYSHW.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/100586126/LBM-RYSHW.part2.rar
