| Accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra, Ladysmith Black Mambazo combines classical European pieces with the traditional music of their South African homeland on one program. The well-known vocal ensemble finds that both areas of music fit together well when they're doing the interpreting.
“Amazing Grace” is presented in English. The arrangement contains a lustrous African interlude in which the vocal ensemble's traditional spirit soars. They sing in their native language as well as in the classical Latin tongue. Refrains of Bach, Schubert and Mozart combine with country chants from a far-away land. The Zulu language is quite effective at expressing the feelings of this veteran ten-voice choir.
“Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring” begins with its classical origins. Lead vocalist Joseph Shabalala takes this one spiritually higher and higher. Robert Brooks adds a vibrant Italian tenor voice to the recipe, bringing the piece along several paths at once. Again, on Schubert's “Heilig, Heilig, Heilig,” stirring African and European voices combine to carry the piece on raised emotions.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo has long represented vivacious South African traditional music. With a little help from their friends, they've managed to universalize their performance. Sometimes it works; sometimes it's a stretch. The veteran vocal ensemble is at its best with traditional South African fare. No Boundaries has plenty of examples of each.
~ Jim Santella | 
