Ladysmith Black Mambazo
The Chillout Sessions
New Age Retailer (Jan 2006)


____First stepping into the American spotlight when it appeared on Paul Simon’s
Graceland, the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo hardly needs introduction in 2005.
But outside of its collaboration with Simon, this South African supergroup has released
40 albums during the course of its lifetime — a powerful track record that has garnered
a worldwide base of appreciative fans.
____On The Chillout Sessions, the singers’ layered harmonies are remixed and set against
a backdrop of new instrumentation, both electronic and acoustic. I especially like “We
Nhliziyo Yami,” a song of slow, easy vocals complemented by cello and acoustic guitar.
The song describes how the group founder’s wife and children hold his heart and
declares he would do anything for them. With Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s popularity
and the album’s beautiful, eye-catching cover art, The Chillout Sessions will be easy to
sell.