Ladysmith Black Mambazo, "Raise Your Spirit Higher: Wenyukela" Heads Up International

The popularity of this South African a cappella group crested with its introduction to the

United States on Paul Simon's "Graceland" in 1997. But Ladysmith Black Mambazo was great long before Simon found the group, and it's been great since.

Fame and personal hardship haven't changed the group's politics or its integrity during the last 30 years or its hope for a better world.

This is the 10-member group's first release since its Grammy-nominated "Live at Royal Albert Hall" and its first new material since 1997's "Heavenly."

Ladysmith leader Joseph Shabalala, whose deep, reedy baritone has been the band's signature voice from its inception, wrote several of the tunes here after the murder of his wife in 2002. As always, the songs are a mix of Christian gospel and Zulu music traditions and everything from black pride, to drinking and driving, to love and faith.