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Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Pop / A'cappella

"Retrace the Long Journey to South African Freedom"


South Africa

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Last Login:  7/1/2008
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   Contacting Ladysmith Black Mambazo

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/mambazo  

   Ladysmith Black Mambazo: General Info
Member Since11/4/2005
Band Websitemambazo.com
Band MembersLadysmith Black Mambazo is:
Joseph Shabalala - Founder, Leader & Musical Director
Albert Mazibuko
Msizi Shabalala
Sibongiseni Shabalala
Thamsanqa Shabalala
Thulani Shabalala
Russel Mthembu
Abednego Mazibuko
Sounds Like Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Long Walk to Freedom..
Record LabelHeads Up International
Type of LabelIndie




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   About Ladysmith Black Mambazo
For more than thirty years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music. The result is a musical and spiritual alchemy that has touched a worldwide audience representing every corner of the religious, cultural and ethnic landscape. Their musical efforts over the past three decades have garnered praise and accolades within the recording industry, but also solidified their identity as a cultural force to be reckoned with.

Assembled in the early 1960s in South Africa by Joseph Shabalala.. and Mambazo being the Zulu word for axe, a symbol of the group’s ability to “chop down” any singing rival who might challenge them. Their collective voices were so tight and their harmonies so polished that they were eventually banned from competitions-although they were welcome to participate strictly as entertainers.

In the mid-1980s, Paul Simon visited South Africa and incorporated Black Mambazo’s rich tenor/alto/bass harmonies into his Graceland album-a landmark 1986 recording that was considered seminal in introducing world music to mainstream audiences. A year later, Simon produced Black Mambazo’s first U.S. release, Shaka Zulu, which won a Grammy in 1988 for Best Traditional Folk Album. Since then, the group has scored eight more Grammy nominations.

In addition to their work with Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has recorded with numerous artists from around the world, including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, The Wynans, Julia Fordham, George Clinton, The Corrs and Ben Harper. A recent film documentary titled On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom, the story of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was nominated for an Academy Award. Their performance with Paul Simon on Sesame Street is legendary and is one of the top three requested Sesame Street segments in history.

Amid the extensive worldwide touring, the ambitious recording schedule and the numerous accomplishments and accolades, tragedy struck the group in 2002 when Nellie Shabalala, Joseph’s wife of thirty years, was murdered by a masked gunman outside their church in South Africa. “At the time that this happened, I tried to take my mind deep into the spirit, because I know the truth is there,” Shabalala recalls. “In my flesh, I might be angry, I might cry, I might suspect somebody. But when I took my mind into the spirit, the spirit told me to be calm and not to worry. Bad things happen, and the only thing to do is raise your spirit higher.”

Out of this dark chapter came Raise Your Spirit Higher-Wenyukela, Black Mambazo’s brilliant debut recording on Heads Up International, released in 2004 to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the end of apartheid. The album, which held the number one spot on the Billboard World Music chart for several months, and received national sales acclaim on Billboard's Gospel and Top Independent Album charts, was Shabalala’s message of hope and unity to a troubled world.

Given the emotional depth and very personal dimension to Raise Your Spirit Higher, it comes as no suprise that the recording scored a 2005 Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album, and was nominated for Best Surround Sound Album in a first ever category in 2005.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo followed this highly successful project with the innovative No Boundaries, a classical crossover recording with The English Chamber Orchestra. Released in January 2005, No Boundaries, merges the group’s isicathamiya singing with the likes of Mozart, Schubert and Bach. The music of was arranged by South African-born German pianist and composer Isak Roux, as commissioned by South Africa’s International Classical Music Festival.

The group will celebrate twelve years of democracy in the Republic of South Africa with the January 2006 release of Long Walk to Freedom, a collection of twelve new recordings of classic Mambazo songs with numerous special guests, including Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, Joe McBride, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, and Zap Mama. Also appearing on this monumental recording are a number of South African international icons lending their support to the South African anthem “Shosholoza,” including Hugh Masekela, Vusi Mahlasela, Lucky Dube, Nokukhanya and others.

Click here to view the ecard for the upcoming January release, Long Walk To Freedom..


   Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Friend Space (Top 6)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo has 5624 friends.
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 826 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Abbie





Jul 8 2008 7:49 AM

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Cgm

Come join my cause: Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.! You will be able to recruit friends, raise money, and add a profile badge to show your support! Join_cause_button_260x52

Jungle Janeth





Jul 4 2008 1:17 AM

Your music is very pleasant to hear :)
raquel





Jul 2 2008 12:05 PM

^^!!thanx for the add.you are a great artist.i love you SOULS cause is your music.i send u a verry good & positive energy from madrid.i wish u the best in the life 4 u & the yours.
:¨::::::¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨¨:¨:¨::¨:
peace,love & light
R.
K
Pam





Jul 2 2008 2:36 AM

Thanks so much for accepting
my invite - lovin' your music!
Be in touch soon and enjoy
your week!

Love and solidarity, Pam.
Marla





Jun 28 2008 9:27 PM

I was soooo jazzed to come across your site!! Me and my friends are HUGE fans!! Really appreciate your music and your brillance.
Bill





Jun 28 2008 9:26 PM

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Ocfm

Come join my cause: Society against child abuse! You will be able to recruit friends, raise money, and add a profile badge to show your support! Join_cause_button_260x52

~Robyn Loves the Sea Energy~





Jun 27 2008 10:52 AM

You create your life through the inner power of your being, whose source is within you and yet beyond the selves that you know. Use those creative abilities with understanding abandon. Honor yourselves and move through the godliness of your being.

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Blessings of Love and Harmony to you my friend! Have a beautiful weekend.
~Robyn~
Lionrock





Jun 25 2008 1:42 PM

Much thanks and great to have you as a friend.

Nice music..I love it..keep on rocking.

Lionrock.
Jay3 "Da Poet"





Jun 25 2008 11:35 AM

Your music is so beautiful! I sit and listen and dream about one day seeing you all perform live.
Pascal





Jun 25 2008 5:18 AM

Bonjour
thanks for the friendly add
your voice are wonderful !
so great to listen you
best wishes from france
pascal
Susana Raya





Jun 25 2008 1:53 AM

Love your voices!!!

thanks for your friendship, :)
timdee





Jun 23 2008 8:12 AM

Just a note of a thousand thanks for Adding me to your conga line of frenetic fans and friends. It was a blessed day when Paul Simon helped unveil your wonderful voices and combined zest for life to the rest of the western world. Been enamored of your harmonies of the heart ever since. God bless you all.
ryan hadden music





Jun 19 2008 11:48 PM

check out my new song "henry poole is here" and download it for free...give me your feed back I would love to hear what you think.
Michael





Jun 19 2008 5:44 PM

Just stopping by to say Hi I Hope that all is well with you and everything's going great..
Stay positive, productive & purpose driven.

Peace

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Blas Barroso





Jun 17 2008 3:10 PM

Un abrazo desde Mérida, España.
BkGuy





Jun 10 2008 10:37 AM

Hey Ladysmith Black Mambazo, I just bought you as my PET!
Click here to find out how much I think you're WORTH!




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lordfocus selecta





Jun 9 2008 4:34 PM

greetings sista
Thanks fi di add
one love


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REGGAE 7/7 24/24
Michael Lauria





Jun 9 2008 2:52 PM

God Bless you..:)
raquel





Jun 8 2008 8:30 AM

thanx for add-me.you are very special. ^ ^ desde españa un abrazo de luz.
:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨:¨
peace,love & light
D





Jun 7 2008 5:47 AM

██████████████████
passin to say hi,
hope all is safe
and well have a great
weekend. D
██████████████████
Son of Live





Jun 7 2008 12:13 AM

greetings and blessings:)
BASSISTE MAGAZINE





Jun 5 2008 9:03 AM

Actuellement en kiosque...

Nouveauté : le mag est aussi dispo en téléchargement !!!

A bientôt,



La Rédac



BASSISTE MAGAZINE





Jun 5 2008 9:03 AM

Actuellement en kiosque...

Nouveauté : le mag est aussi dispo en téléchargement !!!

A bientôt,



La Rédac



Josselin Vautier





Jun 4 2008 3:17 PM

Hi

thx for the add, I love your music

Keep on groovin' !!!
Frizzey





Jun 4 2008 1:28 AM

Thanks for friendship
Good vibes from
Tirolywood
mike





Jun 3 2008 8:42 AM

nice to meet you
very sweet music
I love...
Mike
Fazal Prendergast





Jun 2 2008 11:40 PM

Thanks for add.

Please enjoy this cool reggae/dub/jazz instrumental music from a Jamaican legend.


VENUS ONE WORLD
Arts Promotion and Music Event Booking

Presents a Tribute and CD release from

Fazal Prendergast
titled
Shadows In The Storm
Premier CD from the late, Fazal Prendergast, legendary reggae musician, producer and studio engineer. Original member of Augustus Pablo’s Rockers All Stars/International band, the Godfather of Jamaican Dub! Former member of Earl “China” Smith’s, High Times Players and Mutabaruka’s Sounds of Resistance Band. Creator and band leader of Yellow Wall Dub Squad, USA.
Fazal plays guitar on scores of International/USA hits and is featured on over 100 CDs backing reggae’s greatest artists such as; Augustus Pablo, Mutabaruka, High Times Players, Tippa Irie, Frankie Paul & Cocoa Tea, Hugh Mundell, Delroy Williams, Joe Higgs, Tetrack, Junior Walker, Johnny Osborne, Norris Reid, Scientist, King Tubby and Prince Jammy. However, this is the first, of two CDs, to feature Fazal’s compositions.
Shadows In The Storm is an instrumental album. It has a deep richness of sound with Reggae/Dub/Jazz/Razz and Mid Eastern influences.
This beautiful mood music is intimate, haunting, transformative and exciting, a true expression of Fazal’s unique spirit. Indulge in this rich discovery of ‘Razz’ (a term Fazal first coined) meaning reggae/jazz/instrumental music.
CD proceeds to…
The Education Fund of
Deardhrá McGeough Prendergast
Sales
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Josh Groban France





Jun 2 2008 7:44 AM

Come join my cause: Educating Girls in Africa - Batonga! You'll get a profile badge to show your support!

Eim

Please help me support Educating Girls in Africa - Batonga!



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Laura Berry





Jun 1 2008 3:24 PM

Hey there, I've loved listening to you all for years! Amasing voices! All the best, Hugs Loz x :)
Jim Ferrie & the Studio Dawgs





May 31 2008 11:57 AM

Unique and wonderful voices. What more can I say? Thanks for the add!

best,

Jim
Robert Mwamba





May 31 2008 8:52 AM

Greetings my brothers - All the best to
you!
Sam Bäbler





May 31 2008 8:50 AM

A great honor to be here.
Thanks
Louise H.





May 30 2008 6:58 AM

Sanibona my friends, ninjani?Ngiyabonga...for accepting my request!
Salani kahle
Louise
Yaxchibonam





May 29 2008 11:35 PM

Gracias amigos! We are honored to be included among your friends. May there be ✇ PEACE ✇ and JUSTICE and LAND for all Indigenous Peoples. And may there be no more campaigns of terror and genocide in the states of CHIAPAS and OAXACA, Mexico. Please hold our cause in your hearts!

Niñas de la selva, Chiapas
Samuel Rodriguez





May 29 2008 1:17 PM

Hello! Ladysmith black Mambazo
Thanks so much for the add!!!
It' s a great pleasure and a great honor to have you here on my friends list!!!
WONDERFUL VOICES In perfect harmony!!!
Really a SOUND PAINTING!!!
ART MUSIC!!!
Peace!!! And all the best for you!!!
Samuel Rodriguez
Workshop Sing, Dance, Accordeon & Percussions





May 29 2008 9:32 AM

MERCI POUR L'AJOUT!
Thanks for the Add!

Welcome to our
Workshop
WorldMusiX & Dance

Stage Chant Danse & Percussions
en Belgique
du 3 au 10 août 2008
See You There!
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WorkshopWepionWorldMusiX & Dance
Wepion Team
FUNàMbolò





May 29 2008 3:09 AM

Ursula





May 28 2008 1:51 PM

ola amigos....
have fun and good luck in life!
love from Switzerland - ursula
Sonya Pinçon





May 28 2008 1:38 PM

Photobucket
Thank you for the Friendship Musical!
Charmed for your music of quality!
With the pleasure!
Good continuation.
Brenda





May 28 2008 1:10 PM

Parrot

Emu

Elephant

Birds

Greetings Ladysmith Black Mambazo...Thank You For Adding Me To Your Circle Of Friends...Wishing Joy And Happiness With Good Health First And ForeMost...God Bless You...Peace And Blessings....
ScreamFire Entertainment


Is Online


May 28 2008 11:58 AM

Thanks for the add!! ScreamFire!!
ScreamFire!
Falk Bonitz - Jazzpiano