Album Review

Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Songs From A Zulu Farm

• 7th Feb 2011

The Shabalala family’s (with others)gospel/African tribe vocal melodies and harmonies are as perfect and natural as expected, with the farm noises taken direct from such farm thrown in to give the impression they are actually singing on the outdoor fields themselves. It includes songs from the 1940’s and 1950’s, almost a narrative of the history of South Africa expressed via a group representing their race, demanding to be accepted by its nation back then. These feelings I’m sure have never gone away despite changes over recent years where all native South Africans now are perceived as equal regardless of skin colour. There are other personal emotions, relationships, hardships and stories expressed also.

This revered and well respected group by peers of all genres symbolise their culture and have given an insight into their way of life over the past 50 years. They have had to graft in their early days in laborious jobs for little or no wage, still finding the time to rehearse and perform, perfecting their unique art. This has obviously paid off with not just selling millions of albums over time but also working with the greats of music like Paul Simon (on Graceland), Stevie Wonder and Taj Mahal. This is just the icing on the cake for them however. I’m sure their greatest joy and reward comes from being able to have their music respected and accepted by all cultures worldwide. They strike a chord with other similar cultures and close-knit communities around the world, past and present.

This album is part one of a trilogy of work, or volume one rather, expressing Zulu tradition and life on a farm growing up together as if they want to return. You can never escape that way of life once experienced. Singing about the weather, animals, nature, children, hope, pride, they appreciate Westernisation’s good qualities but also acknowledge its demonic temptations, something they obviously want to protect their children from. Being biased, they politely express that their way of life is better than ours, and you have to agree that it is. Like other cultures, they feel that providing safety and developing strong relationships with your family is more important than making money in the city and the pitfalls that Western civilisation can create. It’s admirable and commendable. Simply they are proud of their roots, and so they should be.

This is what they have sold to us over the decades, and they have sold it well. This record continues this tradition as will their future work.

Songs From A Zulu Farm is released on 7th February by Proper Records. They tour the UK for 26 dates 19th May to 22nd June.