Ladysmith Black Mambazo's LONG WALK TO FREEDOM has to be their best album in years. As much as I like this prolific South African (mostly) a capella choir, sometimes they just miss the mark. I really didn't expect LONG WALK to be this good: the group's been around for several decades and I thought perhaps they were a bit over the hill.

 On LONG WALK TO FREEDOM the group, with the help of an international assemblage of artists, revisits many of their previous hits. This is usually a sign an artist has run out of ideas and perhaps talent; but surprise surprise: by track 3, the famous Paul Simon collaboration 'Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes', I was hooked and convinced this group still has it. This cd is a great addition to any definitive South African music collection.

 I've never been a big Ethridge fan until I saw and heard Dolly Parton sing one of her songs - she shouted too much for my taste - but listen to her singing 'Diamonds':  wow, this girl can sing. She doesn't shout, she carefully and subtly works the lyrics. Meanwhile, Ladysmith backs her up with less instruments than on the original version.   The percussion is most welcome, but surprisingly the horns and bass guitar are not missed at all.

 Throughout LONG WALK the group sings as good or better than ever. There have not been many changes in their lineup over the years, but some younger voices definitely add to the appeal.

 Some tracks are Ladysmith singing unaccompanied, others feature guests. Taj Mahal gets to sing on the classic 'Mbube' (aka 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'), and also provides some stinging blusey guitar, which adds more to the song than his voice.

 Can you beleive Lucky Dube, Hugh Masekela, Vusi Mahlasala, and a host of South African stars are all on the same song? It's cut 11, 'Shoshloza': Vusi's voice really stands out.

 No matter who guests on LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, there's no doubt that Joseph Shabalala and his group are the true stars. Joseph's voice is deeper now, but even more powerful than it was 35 years ago. The man's spirit just doesn't give out!