Shaka Zulu

Zulu is a very interesting language. The singing is amazing. I guess that's all that matters about this album. I really liked it.

Kind of amazing the grandiose feel these guys can get with only vocals. Favorite track: Hello My Baby

Not for me personally

I'm sure if you're into this stuff then its great. But I'm not the target audience

2 ⭐️

mmmmmm

Uh, it's OK? Obviously talented, kinda cool to hear the acapella, but all the tongue clicking mouth noise stuff got kind of old after awhile. I'm aware it's a language, but it's also on my nerves. Like German.

Interesting album. I did enjoy it, and having the opportunity to hear and find things like this are great thing about the 1001 list.

I had to find the original recording of this album on YouTube because the 30th-anniversary revisited edition on streaming services is actually a re-recording, which is a bit intriguing considering Shaka Zulu was already a collection of newer recordings of their older hits.

I previously mentioned Ladysmith Black Mambazo for their contributions to Paul Simon's Graceland. That record and its subsequent tour introduced the South African acapella group to a global audience. In a good turn of faith, Paul would produce their next record, which would become their first US release through Warner Bros. Records. With all that established, how does Shaka Zulu hold up?

Honestly, surprisingly well. It is genuinely amazing the rhythmic patterns that can be created from just their harmonized voices as the collective worked their way through these spiritual chants. Whether it's the humming and ebbing refrain of "reveal yourself" on "King of Kings" or the more powerful oom-pahs that form a driving beat on "How Long", the isicathamiya singing style they employed proved to be very emphatic, and the mix was well done that I could hear individual lines. Granted, it did get a tad repetitive at times with the religious themes and song structures, which is why I can't say I was fully engaged throughout. But more often than not, I was genuinely vibing with this style.

There's not much else to say here, as I do consider Shak Zulu to be a solid a capella record. If anything, I'm glad that Ladysmith Black Mambazo got more recognition.

They're good at what they do and this makes for a pleasant listen. Lacking variety, though.

Finally, after nearly 100 albums, one from the "Global South". LBM are an excellent group, and this is a fine collection of songs showcasing their immense skill. Despite this being purely a capella it does feel a little overproduced (quite an artifical timbre?) and is merely a collection of good tunes rather than a considered "album", as such. Would be interesting to check out some older cuts...

Beautiful harmonies for sure, but there isn’t much else here.

Expert voices, beautiful vocal harmonies, warm and soothing. Reminds me of the vocal parts in The Lion King soundtrack and musical, which I like very much.
However, I felt that after one track, I had heard them all. So, as a whole album, it's not for me.
Add some orchestra and percussion, and I think I would enjoy it much more.
2/5 below average

Just boring. Inoffensive but boring.

More like Nah-capella am I right?

2

They are good singers, so I feel I can't really give it a 1, but fucking hell was that boring to listen to. No distinguishable moments since it all blurred into one, not a single instrument used. Very generous 2

Oh yeah, that was some good stuff. I am not sure why I liked it so much, but I really did. I wish it was on spotify so I could listen to it more frequently.

Shaka Zulu is an album that i just feel isn't really for me. I have nothing against a capella music, for instance, i really loved TV On The Radio's song Ambulance, but that was mainly because there wasn't really anything on that album that sounded like it. This was nothing but a capella music giving me intense deja vu with that Miriam Makeba album i did a long while back but even more egregious since at least that album had music, this one doesn't have any at all. I will admit that these guys are no doubt good singers but even at 36 minutes, this album felt like it was dragging on and on. I can see why others would like it but it is not my thing at all.
Best Song: Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain
Worst Song: Yibo Labo

This is beautiful and the multiple-part harmonies are incredibly well done. I have really come to enjoy and appreciate African music, especially after being exposed to more of it by this list. So why don't I like this? I just don't respond favorably to the a cappella format. I respect the talent that goes into it, but I just don't enjoy listening to it.

Interesting, but maybe a bit samey and felt a little long.

low 3/5.

It's nice. 3/5.

Spectacular vocal performances highlight that even if I can't understand the words the sentiment behind the harmonies shines through clearly. THIS is something that should be on a list like this.

Pleasantly surprised after an 8 record run of absolute watery shit recommended by the 1001 albumgenerator.