Shaka Zulu

I’m at a 5.

Not too much to say, given that I mostly zoned out to this in the most positive way: that is 100% 42 minutes of South African acapella, and I enjoyed all 42 minutes. Easy as that, really. A lot of the harmonizations gave the album a more spiritual tone, obviously enhanced by some of the actual spirituals present here. The thing that struck me as the most interesting part of the album is how well my brain was able to use the gaps where percussion would obviously sit, taking those empty spots & just sort of using them as percussion in its own way. The group is very keenly aware of this too – there’s never ever a drum track, nor even a click track made with their mouths, but with the way they come into each rhythm, their voices go deep enough that the brain automatically fills it all in, whilst sounding totally natural.

If the sense of repetition here is not your thing, this album will bounce off of you. It’s not an album made for deeper critical analysis, it’s an album to just enjoy from an auditory standpoint. I certainly enjoyed it – there’s not a bad moment here, and when they find a hypnotic groove to settle into, it’s very easy to get caught in that groove with them. It’s not the most impressive album on the planet or anything, but it’s a super fun listen, and I enjoyed it enough that giving it a 5 feels fair to me.

I rejoice every time I get a non-anglo album. This is lovely acapella, feels like a warm blanket. 5*
Highlights: how long

Kind of calming and kind of boring, so it evens out

A refreshing change from the usual transatlantic albums we have on the 1001 list, even if this is a Paul Simon produced album.

Despite being a bit samey towards the end, it's a beautiful companion to Graceland.

eu odeio acappella com muita força. foi doloroso ouvir.

At first I was like, this sounds like the non-instrumental parts from Graceland. Wait a second, it IS the non-instrumental parts from Graceland, or at least it's Paul Simon who produced this album with the group that did those parts.

I didn't really like this. Never got to the point I wanted to turn it off, but I really wanted Paul Simon to come in at some point.

I like the idea behind this one and the story is pretty neat, but to me the music comes off as kinda samey. They are obviously very talented, but I don’t know what they are saying and there no instruments and very few melodic ideas in the background to keep it interesting. Favorite songs were King of Kings and How Long.

Lion King encore

The harmonies are nice but there’s basically nothing else to it unfortunately

Something about African music is really soothing, you can really feel the passion coming out of all the chants and vocals they put on all these songs

This is buttery smooth and honey vocal textures. These guys had an unmistakable tone that I think colors the listening of other groups to western ears. This tone is iconic.

Beautiful harmonies. Melodically much of the same. And after 36 minutes it is also enough.

Such an unbelievable act, great to see them here.

I wouldn't normally seek out a capella music, but I knew them from Graceland so had some frame of reference. Despite the lack of instruments, I found this really engaging. Some of the vocals they make are so unusual and inventive, it actually often sounds like instruments. The recording quality is fantastic as well. Quite a soothing listen overall.

What an incredible choral sound. Amazing work.

African "Mbube" music. Basically it is a male choir singing a cappella. The delivery is groups of people singing homophonically in rhythmic unison, and they use these layers of singing to create intricate harmonies. Kinda like an "asked and answered" kind of singing. It is fantastic. These guys got their big break when Paul Simon included them in a song (Homeless) on his record, Graceland.

Favourite songs: "Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain", Uomathemba, How Long?, Yibi Labo - These Are The Guys, Lomhlaba Kawunoni - The Earth Never Gets Fat, King of Kings

Least favourite songs: none

4/5

Ordentliche Afro-Rhythmen, die ein etwas an König der Löwen erinnern und ein bisschen an Urlaub i. Kenia. Richtige Ausreißer nach oben hab ich nicht gefunden.

Yeah man, I just don’t like a cappella music.

For 3 songs clocking in at 11 minutes I can find no faults.

enjoyed this a lot more than i was expecting, really cool acapella album