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CD Review
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Nashville City Paper, CD Review >>
Ladysmith Black Mambazo joins forces with some unlikely musical contemporaries on No Boundaries (Heads Up/Telarc). The usually dashing vocal ensemble this time has toned down the harmonies and flourishes a bit to mesh with the English Chamber Orchestra. Joseph Shabalala’s flowing leads and the group’s splendid accompanying yells, whoops and shouts aren’t quite as mighty on some selections, though they come rushing to the forefront on songs like “Homeless” and “Amazing Grace.” However, they compensate for the toning down of the vocal ferocity by delivering some outstanding performances of classical material such as Schubert’s “Sanctus (Heilig, Heilig, Heilig),” Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus.” Though hearing them turn their attention to and capably execute difficult classical composition is rewarding, it isn’t quite as thrilling as hearing their more resounding interactions, duets, duels and exchanges. No Boundaries is commendable for its conceptually challenging context, but not quite as enjoyable overall as some past group projects.
The striking, exuberant voice of Horace Andy is augmented by triumphant backing from an all-star reggae group and the expert studio machinations of the Mad Professor on the collaborative affair From The Roots: Horace Andy Meets Mad Professor (Ras/Sanctuary). The tandem of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare anchors the rhythm section, while Dean Fraser and Richard Doswell’s stirring saxes and flutes are intercut around Andy’s leads while swirling beats, keyboard/synthesizer phrases and shifting percussive patterns converge. Among the 14 numbers, the best tones are “Babylon Bridge,” “Rasta Business,” “Zion The Holy Land” and “Change Your Ways,” though “Dem Lie” and “Girl Don’t Come” are also excellent. Andy is a celebrated figure among the reggae faithful, but hasn’t received the international appeal (at least in America) that he deserves. This work may help change that, especially since the Mad Professor’s great mixes and engineering ensure that anyone with a reasonably good sound system will hear some explosive high-tech effects. 02/04/05 >> go there
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