Finally living the dream: Ladysmith Black Mambazo brings 'The Gospel of Loving One Another' to N.H.     
                                                                            
By RYANALAN                                                             
Arts Writer                                                              
                                                                                                                   
Every musician, it seems, has a dream. The members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, one of the world's most beloved groups, had one too.           
                                                                           
It's just that, in the not that long ago "old" South Africa where racist apartheid ruled, they weren't allowed to articulate it. "The dream we have been living was not allowed to be thought of by a black South African," says Albert Mazibuko, a veteran of the Grammy winning vocal contingent whose artistry is in demand worldwide by filmmakers, other   
musicians, government officials and royalty — not to mention fans of all ages.   
                                                                           
"To leave South Africa and be treated like a person with rights, no this was not allowed in the old South Africa. To succeed, and be honored by people and organizations and countries never was allowed in the old South Africa. But it continues today, our dream, and we hope we are an example to our people and to other people around the world that you should never say, 'I can't do this dream.'" Mazibuko said.              
                                                                           
When he founded Ladysmith 45 years ago, Joseph Shabalala said he had a dream of creating music that might make South Africa — and the world in general — a better place." He wanted to see Ladysmith "bring this gospel of loving one another all over the world."                              
                                                                           
All Ladysmith can hope for, Mazibuko added, is that they continue to spread a message of peace, love and harmony among people. "We see people are for each other more and more and we hope it continues," he said.   
                                                                           
The group takes part of their name from Shabalala's rural hometown: Ladysmith. Black is a reference to oxen, the strongest of all farm animals. Mambazo is the Zulu word for axe, a symbol of the group's ability to "chop down" any singing rival who might challenge them in vocal competitions in their country.                                    
                                                                           
Ladysmith borrows significantly from a traditional music called isicathamiya (is-cot-a-ME-Ya) which developed in the mines of South Africa, where black workers were taken by rail to work far from their homes and families. Poorly housed and even more poorly paid, the workers would entertain themselves after a six-day week by singing songs into   
the early hours of a Sunday morning. When the miners returned to the homelands, their musical tradition returned with them.                  
                                                                           
Enter Paul Simon, in a visit to South Africa in the mid-1980s, who asked Ladysmith to contribute their rich harmonies to his landmark "Graceland" album. It proved to be a turning point for the group.                   
                                                                           
The record was considered seminal in introducing world music to mainstream audiences. A year later, Simon produced the group's first U.S. release, "Shaka Zulu," which won a Grammy in 1988 for best traditional folk album. Ladysmith has eight Grammy nominations to date. 
                                                                           
"As everyone knows, singing with Paul Simon on his 'Graceland' album opened the gates for us to travel the world and perform for people," Mazibuko said. Others may disagree, but Mazibuko does not consider Ladysmith pioneers.                                                     
                                                                           
"Not really, we just set out to do what we do. If people like what we do, we say 'Thank you,' "he said. There are many groups in their country who are pleased with Ladysmith's success he said. "We feel we need to continue on to give them hope for their own success."           
                                                                           
He said the group feels as if it is where it has been from the beginning: "Trying to fill the people of the world with happiness and good feelings, to help people heal and see that good can come from bad, that one should never give up on hope."                                 
                                                                           
He said that continuing to spread their culture so it can remain alive and vibrant is a major goal. "We just want to keep people involved, honor our people, our culture and our country, South Africa," Mazibuko said.                                                                   
                                                                           
That's why they look at what they do as considerably more than just a career.        
                                                                           
"This is our way of life," he explained. "People call it a career, and I guess since it has been a way for us to feed our families and pay our bills, it is a career. But this is what we've always done. From childhood, we do this when we are not working. Eventually this took over from our regular jobs, and here we are."                                
                                                                           
And who are they?                                                       
                                                                           
Says Mazibuko, "We are from Zululand, South Africa. We have a long and honorable history that we celebrate in song and dance. We believe in God as an important force to direct us and we believe in honor and respect to all people."  
                                                                           
Fans find the resulting art uplifting. He believes Ladysmith's spirituality has a lot to do with that.                                 
                                                                           
"We are very spiritual, very religious," he said. "We pray a lot and we always try to follow certain ways of being. Some call it karma or respect: treat everyone as you want to be treated. This is the medicine to cure the world of its problems."                                     
                                                                           
There is a strong connection between religion and music in what they offer, but no attempt to encourage others to stray from their own beliefs. The group respects all faith journeys, he explained. "We incorporate spirituality into some of our songs, gospel and spirituals, some in English and others in Zulu. That has always been a part of who we are."                                                                
                                                                           
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's music also is about strength, taking strength from it to face challenges in life. "It's strength in one's self and in our fellow man: be strong and rise above what may be keeping you down or troubling you," Mazibuko said. 
                                                                           
The only role that such subjects as social injustice, racism and politics play in what they offer, he added, is as part of the collective struggle. "We are not political. This has never been our path," he insisted. "Whether your struggle is social injustice or something else, 
we sing to give strength."                                              
                                                                           
A sampling can be found on Ladysmith's new CD, "Long Walk To Freedom," released on Tuesday . It recognizes the 20th anniversary of their ascendancy to the world stage and the dawning of democracy in South Africa 12 years ago.                                                    
                                                                           
The collection of a dozen new recordings of classic Mambazo songs features guest vocal performances from an array of contemporary artists including Melissa Etheridge, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Taj Mahal and Emmylou Harris.   
                                                                           
With "Long Walk to Freedom," Ladysmith," explained Mazibuko, wanted "to share our music from the past with people who may not know it, or know it but would like to hear it in another way." "We've tried to update the songs a bit and having these wonderful performers (also including Joe McBride) join us brings out different and new flavors to these songs."  
                                                                           
Many of the guest artists said they considered it an honor to work with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Etheridge praised the group as "an inspirational light in the music business." 
                                                                           
Ladysmith does not take it all for granted.                                                                                                         
"This is the dream we are living," he said. "As representatives of the South African people, we know when we are invited, they are inviting our people through us. This is an honor for us. An invitation to us is an invitation for all of South Africa." 
                                                                           
Ladysmith Black Mambazo performs at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Colonial Theatre, located at 95 Main St. in Keene. Tickets cost $20, $30 and $34. For tickets, call the box office at 352-2033.