LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO

RAISE YOUR SPIRIT HIGHER – WENYUKELA

4 STARS

HEADS UP INTERNATIONAL

Ten-piece vocal group that hails from South Africa praises strangth, resolve and cooperation

You’ve probably never hears a Ladysmith black Mambazo album, but that doesn’t mean that you’ve never heard Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  The long-running Zulu chorale, introduced to America in 1986 on Paul Simon’s Graceland (though they had an indie label deal by then) are an exotic staple – educating Sesame Street, serenading Olympians, regaling Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee.  What’s more, they deserve the attention – their a cappella clicks and whoops and hollers and harmonies constitute some of the most skillful, witty and beautiful pop music on the planet.  Incredibly, founder-leader-inventor Joseph Shabalala’s wife of 30 years was murdered while the group was recording this album.  More incredibly, this amazingly good-humored argument for peace, love and understanding is one of their most spirited and accessible releases ever.  There are more than 40 of those, but quibble? Start here.