Search - Ladysmith Black Mambazo :: Star of the Wiseman

Vocal Virtuosos

Fergal Byrne | Dublin, Ireland | 03/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The big band with no instruments who stole the show on Paul Simon's Graceland are back to prove that they are true masters of harmony, musicality and rhythm. This orchestra of brotherly voices takes us on a journey across the big country of Southern Africa. Dedicated to Headman Msongelwa Shabalala, a founder of the group in 1960, the album's title means 'the star and the wiseman.'If you want to hear the voice of this young nation, sit back and listen to this eloquent, moving and uplifting virtuoso performance."

A great albums by the kings of African harmony

maydont@bigfoot.com | Edinburgh, Scotland, UK | 01/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps the best album by the group made famous after their immediate success from Paul Simon's Graceland.Each track on this album is enough to give the listener goose flesh. "Mambazo", meaning "axe" in Zulu, has nothing to do with violence but pertains to the "cutting" nature of the various voices while singing. You certainly get that feeling when listening to this CD. The pulse and harmony on tracks such as "The Star and the Wiseman", "Love I've come to You", and "What a Great Love" will move you. The tracks on the album all written by the musical genius Joseph Tshabalala and dedicated to his late brother, Headman, make up an altogether stirring album of African rythms."