Anyone wondering what became of the intricate, soulful vocal harmonies that backed Paul Simon on Graceland, his seminal 1986 fusion of pop and world music, will welcome the return of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

In Raise You Spirit Higher – Wenyukela (Heads Up International/Universal), their first release of new material since 1997’s Heavenly, the Grammy award winning South African a cappella group returned to its roots, combining elements of Christian gospel music with a traditional African musical form, iscathamiya, which grew out of the experience of black South Africans taken far from their rural homes to work in mines where thy entertained themselves with songs.

Raise Your Spirit Higher celebrates the 10^th anniversary of the end of apartheid and also reflects on a personal tragedy that stuck the group in 2002, when the wife of its founder and leader, Joseph Shabalala, was murdered in a church parking lot by a masked gunman.

The CS features rhythmic meditations on racism, Christian faith and the group’s hometown of Ladysmith in KwaZulu Natal, that are sing in African but transcend language and two tracks sung in English.

The recording closes with a tribute to Joseph’s wife, Nellie, written and sung by their grandfather to remain strong and persevere – something that Ladysmith Black Mambazo has done for more than 30 years.