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Ladysmith Black Mambazo -- 2004
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Maximum Ink, Ladysmith Black Mambazo -- 2004 >>
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, expressing his hardship and joys with each subsequent masterpiece.
Joseph Shabalala worked as a farmer and later a factory worker in the 1950's. Early on, he developed his talent for singing, but it would take ten years to perfect his Isicathamiya (is-cot-a-ME-Ya): the South-African choral song that evolved from poor black mine workers traveling far from home by rail to work.
"I felt there was something missing... I tried to teach the music that I felt, but I failed, until 1964 when a dream came to me that changed my life,” says Shabalala. “Children of many colors and cultures sang to me in tones and harmonies which were so unique and special, that I knew they had come to teach me the sound I had been searching for.”
He recruited his brothers, cousins, and other close friends to form the group's legendary ten-part acapella vocal harmonies. Collectively, they took the name Ladysmith Black Mambazo: “Ladysmith” for the rural town Shabalala grew up in, “Black” in reference to the strongest of oxen, and “Mambazo” being the Zulu work for axe (a symbol of the group's uncanny ability to chop down any rival or challenging singers.) Due to their unimaginably tight and polished harmonies, they were eventually barred from competing, but welcome to participate as entertainers.
Shabalala's soul faced the ultimate test during the making of “Raise Your Spirit Higher (Wenkyukela)” set to be 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. He keeps his wife's spirit and memory alive to those who will listen, his being steadfast and faith unshaken.
“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.”
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's first American project was backing entertainer Paul Simon for his chart-topping 1986 album “Graceland.” After Simon heard them on a cassette tape, he became obsessed with their unique sound, and flew to South Africa to meet Shabalala and company. In 1987 Simon then produced Mambazo's first American album “Shaka Zulu,” which then went on to win a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album. Simon and Mambazo appeared later together on Jim Henson's Sesame Street (which consequently is one of the highest viewed episodes worldwide.)
Providing the vocals for the recent “Lifesavers” candy commercials, Mambazo launched Isicathamiya (into the homes of millions of viewers. Their harmony instantly attracted vocalist Dolly Parton, who approached the group to cut “Peace Train,” a Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) tune for her 1996 album “Treasures.” This consequently led to Parton's appearance on Mambazo's 1997 album “Heavenly,” performing a reggae version of Bob Dylan's “Knockin' on Heaven's Door.”
Staying busy with a rich tradition that has yielded over 40 internationally released albums, Mambazo has had film appearances over the years including Michael Jackson's “Moonwalker,” and Spike Lee's “Do It A Capella.” Their music was featured on Eddie Murphy's film “Coming To America,” Disney's “The Lion King II,” and most recently Sean Connery's “The League Of Extraordinary Gentleman.” They have appeared live at two Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and were asked to represent South Africa for Queen Elizabeth of England's 50th Anniversary as monarch.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo has consistently transcended and remains an opponent of the oppressive apartheid movement that has plagued their homeland. In November of this year they appeared at the 2003 Cape Town, South Africa AIDS benefit concert organized by Nelson Mandela. This grand event featured Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), Bono, The Corrs, and many others. Mambazo have remained good friends of President Mandela, playing at his famous 1994 Inauguration ending Apartheid in South Africa. They ask the simple question: “What could possibly be more honest than ten-part vocal harmonies promoting peace and tranquility?”
“Ladysmith Black Mambazo performs this music, the beloved music of our ancestors,” says Shabalala, “To help preserve and promote the wondrous culture of South Africa.”
Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be appearing February 14th at Fermilab Arts Series in Batavia, IL. You can also catch them on Feb. 16th, in Madison, WI at the Oscar Meyer Theatre, and Feb. 17th at the Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis, MN.
www.mambazo.com 01/19/04 >> go there
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