Raise Your Spirit Higher: Wenyukela

Amazon.com
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

Raise Your Spirit Higher: Wenyukela,Ladysmith Black Mambazo,Heads Up,Africa,African,African Folk,Afro-Pop,Classical Music,Int'l & World Music,Mbube,Pop,South Africa,Worldbeat

Average customer rating: Highly recommended Rising above all adversity, this album shines. Raise Your Spirit Higher Great CD Ladysmith Black Mambazo is B A C K !!!!

Raise Your Spirit Higher: Wenyukela Ladysmith Black Mambazo Manufacturer: Heads Up ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo Long Walk to Freedom Journey of Dreams Shaka Zulu The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Vol. 2 ASIN: B00014X8AY Release Date: 2004-01-27

Tracks:

1. Wenyukela (Raise Your Spirit Higher)
2. Uqinisil' Ubada (Lord Is The Light And Truth)
3. Selingelethu Sonke
4. Wangibambezela (Message From His Heart)
5. Wenza Ngani? (How Did You Do That?)
6. Udidekil' Umhlaba (Lord's Work)
7. Iyahlonipha Lengane
8. Wamlul' Umshado (Beautiful Wedding)
9. Because I Love
10. Black Is Beautiful
11. Music Knows No Boundaries
12. Fak' Ibhande (Don' Drink And Drive)
13. Tribute

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

Highly recommended.......2005-05-30

This is a real 5 star disc - both sonically and musically.
A great fun to listen to.
There is a SACD version available.

Rising above all adversity, this album shines........2004-12-11

The seed of creativity is often planted with the influences of adversity and oppression. As the individual is stricken by tragedy the fertilized seed sprouts; tapping internal strengths and consolidating them into an increasingly focused goal. From their South-African inception nearly four decades ago, Joseph Shabalala has grown Ladysmith Black Mambazo from a dream to a bicentennial Redwood, cathartically expressing his hardship and joys with each subsequent masterpiece. Shabalala's soul faced the ultimate test during the making of "Raise Your Spirit Higher (Wenkyukela)" released January 24, 2004. In the Spring of 2002, his wife Nellie of 30 years was murdered in a Church parking lot by a masked gunman. To date, no conviction has been made. Despite the overwhelming grief and angst that accompanies such a profound loss, Joseph has chosen to stay faithful to his beliefs and reiterates their universal messages of peace and love with this record. "At the time that this happened, I tried to take my mind deep into the spirit, because I know the truth is there," says Shabalala, "In my flesh, I might be angry, I might cry, I might suspect somebody. But when I took my mind into the spirit, the spirit told me to be calm and not to worry. Bad things happen, and the only thing to do is raise your spirit higher." He keeps his wife's spirit and memory alive to those who will listen, his being steadfast and faith unshaken. - All content copyright www.maximumink.com

Raise Your Spirit Higher.......2004-10-07

Ladysmith Black Mambazo's latest CD does just that -- it raises your spirit higher. This CD was released during the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid and is, in part, a celebration of a new era. The songs Selingelethu Sonke, Wenza Ngani and Black Is Beautiful, in particular, fit this celebratory theme. All of the thirteen songs are spiritually and socially conscious as well as uplifting. Many of the songs are sung in the Zulu language. Five songs are sung either in English or mostly in English. This group has an incredible ability to convey much needed sentiments and messages through their complex, beautiful a capella harmonies and gentle palillogy. They prove that music truly knows no boundaries. Don't miss the final track where Joseph Shabalala's grandsons sing a tribute to their late grandmother which they wrote in order to encourage him after her death. NGIYABATHANDA LABAFANA! I love these guys.

Great CD.......2004-02-14

This CD is one of the best that I have ever heard. The way that they sing really speaks to me. Hearing those harmonies run together to from a wall of sound that is like nothing that I have ever heard before, and it moves my soul to places that I thought were long ago killed. This CD is an uplifting event that everyone should take the time to purchase and enjoy for the rest of their lives.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is B A C K !!!!.......2004-02-07

Yes, LBM is back in full form. Somehow they "un-Simonized" themselves and have returned to what they do best -- Purely African, Zulu, impeccable acapella singing that cannot be more "purrrrfect." When I decided to collect this group's albums, I found myself disappointed as they seemed to stray more and more away from their roots. But now they have returned in full glory. The excellent engineering on the album augments the beauty of their soothing harmonies and gently pressing presentation. LBM, if you read this, I have a request: Please, do an album like this at least once every year!

Average customer rating: Reference album for SACD systems Terrific sound

Raise Your Spirit Higher: Wenyukela Ladysmith Black Mambazo Manufacturer: Heads Up ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Long Walk to Freedom Concord Records SACD Sampler 1 (Multichannel Hybrid SACD) At Fillmore East Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, A Night on Bald Mountain, and Other Russian Showpieces [Hybrid SACD] Telarc SACD Sampler: Sound and Vision ASIN: B00014X8BI Release Date: 2004-01-27

Tracks:

1. Wenyukela (Raise Your Spirit Higher)
2. Uqinisil' Ubada (Lord Is the Light and Truth)
3. Selingelethu Sonke
4. Wangibambezela (Message from His Heart)
5. Wenza Ngani? (How Did You Do That?)
6. Udidekil' Umhlaba (Lord's Work)
7. Iyahlonipha Lengane
8. Wamlul' Umshado (Beautiful Wedding)
9. Because I Love
10. Black Is Beautiful
11. Music Knows No Boundaries
12. Fak' Ibhande (Don't Drink and Drive)
13. Tribute

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

Reference album for SACD systems.......2004-12-31

Listeners whose home systems are fully equipped for SACD won't be disappointed in this album. "Raise Your Spirit Higher" and the final Ray Charles album, "Genius Loves Company," represent two recent album productions designed to be engineered in Direct Stream Digital with multichannel SACD in mind.

LBM's tight harmonies will soon have you totally immersed, then surprised as their unique solo vocalizations pop up from unexpected places in the room. If you've ever seen one of their concerts, this album will make you feel that they've come to your home to give you an encore!

Terrific sound.......2004-05-08

Very pleasant, soothing vocals great sound quality, the multi-channel recording is wonderful if not kind of distracting because of the sounds and voices coming from various places around the room.

Average customer rating:

Raise Your Spirit Higher: Wenyukela Ladysmith Black Mambazo Manufacturer: Wrasse ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00009KI1B Release Date: 2003-05-12

Tracks:

1. Tribute
2. Because I Love You
3. Wenyukela (Raise Your Spirit Higher)
4. Wenza Ngani? (How Did You Do That?)
5. Dlondlobalo Njalo (Preserve South Africa's Culture)
6. Sandlwana (A Mountain)
7. Mbayimbayi (By and By I'm Coming)
8. Black Is Beautiful
9. Uqinisil' Ubaba (Lord Is the Light and Truth)
10. Udidekil' Umhlaba (Lord's Work)
11. Iningi Liyabon Ububende [Many Spoil the Broth]
12. Wangibambezela (Message from His Heart)
13. Wamlul' Umshado (Beautiful Wedding)
14. Phalamende (Parliament)
15. Fak' Ibhande (Don't Drink and Drive)
16. Music Knows No Boundaries
17. Halala South Africa (Congratulations South Africa)

Average customer rating:

Raise Your Spirit Higher: Wenyukela Ladysmith Black Mambazo Manufacturer: Wrasse Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B00009RXJV Release Date: 2003-06-03

Tracks:

1. Tribute
2. Because I Love You
3. Wenyukela (Raise Your Spirit Higher)
4. Wenza Ngani? (How Did You Do That?)
5. Dlondlobalo Njalo (Preserve South Africa's Culture)
6. Sandlwana (A Mountain)
7. Mbayimbayi (By and By I'm Coming)
8. Black Is Beautiful
9. Uqinisil' Ubaba (Lord Is the Light and Truth)
10. Udidekil' Umhlaba (Lord's Work)
11. Iningi Liyabon Ububende [Many Spoil the Broth]
12. Wangibambezela (Message from His Heart)
13. Wamlul' Umshado (Beautiful Wedding)
14. Phalamende (Parliament)
15. Fak' Ibhande (Don't Drink and Drive)
16. Music Knows No Boundaries
17. Halala South Africa (Congratulations South Africa)

Album Description

At a time when the world is confused and uncertain, the voices and message of Ladysmith Black Mambazo provide serenity above the noise with their uplifting message and wondrous performance. 17 tracks. Wrasse. 2003.

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