Against a backdrop of political upheaval and personal tragedy, South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo brings a message of unity and hope to a troubled world.

The group, assembled in the early 1960s by Joseph Shabalala, has significant meaning.  Ladysmith is the group’s rural hometown.  Black is a reference to oxen, the strongest of all farm animals, and Mambazo is a Zulu word for ax, a symbol of the group’s ability to chop down any singing rival.

Shabalala and the 10-member vocal group (including four of Shabalala’s sons) have spent three decades fusing the disparate but spiritually resonant traditions of Zulu and Christian gospel music.

Although the music is clearly rooted in African musical traditions, the underlying message speaks to all people—just check out track “Uqinsil’ Ubada (Lord Is the Light and Truth).”

The group’s spirituality was tested during production of the album.  In spring 2002, Shabalala’s wife of 30 years, Nellie, was murdered in a church parking lot by a masked gunman.  Shabalala’s faith remains unshaken, and with the help of his teenage grandsons, he delivers an emotional “Tribute,” a short hip-hop track.

“Raise Your Spirit Higher (Wenyukela)” is certainly uplifting and celebrates the cross-cultural exchange between Africa and America.