I heard the South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo for the first time in 1986 when the choir appeared on Paul Simon's Graceland album.  Not only did Paul Simon and Ladysmith bring the South African apartheid to global awareness, but also popularize the newly dubbed genre, world music.  Since that time, approximately 18 years, the apartheid was lifted, Nelson Mandela liberated and Ladysmith's tranquil a cappella grooves have been featured in ads for Lifesavers, Heinz Bake Beans (UK) and on various albums of pop stars (Michael Jackson and Dolly Parton).  Why does South African Christian music attract advertisers and pop stars?  Is God now in the business of selling Life Savers and baked beans? 

Sure this effervescent music does go down easily.  And according to a quote by the group leader, Joseph Shabalala, "Without hearing the lyrics, this music gets into the blood, because it comes from the blood.  It invokes enthusiasm and excitement, regardless of what you follow spiritually."  I feel this music goes down too easily and few times I had to suppress a yawn while listening to it.  The music shares very little in common with African-American gospel music.  There are some wonderful vocal harmonies and textures, but the pedestrian pace feels like a stroll in a park and is hardly the thing to get my blood moving.  I prefer African-American gospel with its foot stomping, hand claps and passionate outbursts. Now that music gets my heart pumping and I am not religious.

Ten years after the lifting of the apartheid, Ladysmith celebrates the release of their latest CD, Raise Your Spirit Higher.  The titular track (my favorite on the CD) sets a sedate mood with its intricate vocal harmonies.  However, the next few tracks are almost indistinguishable from one another until the group sings the passionate I Love You.  Its most noteworthy quality is the fun vocal effects that appear on the song.  Other tracks that stand out are Music Knows No Boundaries, Happy to Be Black and Don't Drink and Drive because the lyrics are sung in English.  However, the later tune comes off as a musical PSA and one of those important warnings in which we would already be aware.  Would anyone listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo drink and drive?

Tribute, a rap song sung by Joseph Shabalala's grandsons acts as a touching memorium to Joseph whose wife was murdered by a masked man in a church parking lot during the spring of 2002.  And in fact, the most remarkable aspect of this recording and Mr. Shabalala isn't that his group has attracted international commercial attention or that appeared on stage for Queen Elizabeth II's 50th anniversary with pop music luminaries.  Shabalala rose above his grief and practiced spiritual love, where someone else might have sought revenge on the masked murderer.  So in one respect, Raise Your Spirit Higher is not just a title for a CD, but has become a way of life for a man who lost his wife of 30 years.  The music on this disc might not do the trick for me, but I tip my hat to anyone that has the strength and the courage to walk their talk as well as, to surrender to a higher will.  www.headsup.com