With Easter and Passover approaching, it seems a fitting time to check out two splendid world music releases by South African-based Zulu vocal ensemble Ladysmith Black Mambazo and New York City band The Klezmatics. Both recordings combine seemingly disparate musical genres to great and satisfying effect, both deal with sacred songs and tunes of faith.

On the aptly titled “No Boundaries,” leader Joseph Shabalala and his 10-voice Grammy-winning a capella singers perform African Christian songs and European classical sacred compositions backed by the strings of the English Chamber Orchestra. The result is a pairing of Zulu “isicathamiay” multi-harmony singing – made popular to Western ears by Paul Simon’s “Graceland” – with lush baroque to romantic-styled orchestral arrangements. It works so well, the two cultural styles seem made for each other.

Songs by Mozart, Bach and Schubert take on a new vibrancy and musical point of view, thanks to the group’s unique vocal treatments and Zulu oral percussion. Even well-worn hymn “Amazing Grace” takes on a whole new dimension and freshness.

Both recordings are a must for anyone who loves the creative who loves the creative cross-pollinization of musical genres. And with both, the listener will be inspired and uplifted by an ecumenical world beat.

-Eric Feber