Yes, Ladysmith Black Mambazo brought African authenticity to Paul Simon's Graceland, the 1986 "Album of the Year" Grammy-winner that also topped the Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll. And yes, those warm a cappella contributions from the South African isicathamiya vocal group both gave mainstream audiences unprecedented exposure to Mother Continent sounds, and presented same in a palatable pop context that irked some world-music hardliners. True, 2006 saw an LBM disc celebrating their 45th anniversary with guests Melissa Etheridge, Natalie Merchant and Sarah McLachlan. Later that year came collaborations with classical crossover smoothie Josh Groban. Ladysmith has even soundtracked a TV jingle hawking Life Savers candy. How much does all this take away from the uplifting rapture of the live Mambazo experience? Nothing, not even close, not by the gray hair on Nelson Mandela's venerable chin. Leader Joseph Shabalaba & Co. release the promising new collaboration-free album Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu on Tuesday.

-- by David R. Stampone