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Soweto Gospel Choir - Grace (2010)

2011-06-28T08:30:56Z

Soweto Gospel Choir - Grace (2010)


1. Kae Le Kae 3:02 
2. Emarabini/Nkomo Ka Baba 2:32 
3. Mangisondele Nkosi Yam 3:03 
4. Eli 3:56 
5. O'Nkosi Yam 2:06 
6. Over Troubled Waters 6:25 
7. Muphulusi 2:43 k 
8. Ndikhokhele 4:20 
9. Put Your Hand Medley 3:47 
10. Umoya We Nkosi 3:02 
11. Ngahlulele 2:54 
12. Voices On The Wind 4:29 
13. Ingoma 2:14 
14. Oh! It Is Jesus 4:16 
15. Prayer For South Africa 4:50 	play
16. Jerusalem 
17. Ave Maria 
18. Calvary 
19. Grace				play

Personnel: 
Kevin Williams (guitar); 
Jeff Nomvete (saxophone);
Vusimuzi Shabalala, Diniloxolo Ndlakuse (keyboards); 
Bongani Ncube (bass guitar); 
Mandla Modawu (drums); 
Velile Msimango, Mxolisi Sithole, Sipho Ngcamu, Tshepo Maitisa (percussion).

The Soweto Gospel Choir's latest album, "Grace," is easily as exuberant and inspired as any of its past efforts. The aptly titled 19-song set-the South African group's fourth release on Shanachie Records-is a creative blending of traditional South African gospel numbers with elegantly conceived arrangements of contemporary tunes, such as "Voices on the Wind." The choir's performance is a sustained display of individual and ensemble virtuosity, underwritten by its deep spiritual sensibility. The track "Eli" is an infectious cut reminiscent of the township jive that is one of the foundational styles of South African pop music. Lucas Bok's gospel-inflected arrangement of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is another highlight. Traditional South African gospel piece "Muphulusi" features the choir accompanied only by hand drums and a strong solo vocal from Bongani Khumalo, and Sipokazi Nxumalo's gentle delivery of "Prayer for South Africa" is also a noteworthy vocal performance. --- Philip Van Vleck

South Africa's Soweto Gospel Choir went through some difficult times in 2009. Guitarist Joshua Mcineka, to whom the album is dedicated, passed away before these recording sessions were to begin; and just before Christmas, a month before the album's release, its co-founder and musical director David Mulovhedzi succumbed to cancer. The music contained here, however, is still full of celebration and joy. On its fifth album for Shanachie, the Soweto Gospel Choir expands its musical reach outside its homeland and even the church, and in turn offers musical examples of the various meanings of the word "grace." On this 19-track collection, the group sticks close to its traditions on most songs, writing and performing original ones, as well as interpreting many traditional ones in their unique way in six of South Africa's official languages. In addition, they reach into the secular world with a radical reinterpretation of Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" that lends the song a far deeper, wider-ranging shade of meaning.

They also reach into the classical canon by using a Mozart lieder to create a new song entitled "Prayer for South Africa." As is their wont, different soloists are featured on each tune, with musical accompaniment backing them for about half the album, while the other half is devoted to songs performed a cappella with drums. Standouts include the glorious readings of the traditional "O'Nkosi Yam," and "Ngahlulele." The Roman Catholic and American gospel traditions are represented by "Ave Maria," and "Oh! It Is Jesus," respectively. The choir also takes on an old Ocean song "Put Your Hand in the Hand" and places it in a medley with "Joy, Peace and Happiness" and "What a Mighty God," and manages to transform the entire mess into a gorgeous new entity with their soul-drenched harmonies and a single hand drum.

For those who might be put off by the familiar tunes and are cynical enough to think this a gimmick, there is no need to worry: each standard has been transformed by the elegance and innovative spirit of the mighty Choir; they have in turn imbued each of these songs with a grace that is at once both human and seemingly divine. - Thom Jurek

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Soweto Gospel Choir - Voices From Heaven (2005)

2011-06-21T08:48:11Z

Soweto Gospel Choir - Voices From Heaven (2005)


1. Jikela Emaweni		play
2. Vuma
3. Thina Simnqobile
4. Zanele
5. Paradise Road
6. Ahuna Ya Tswanag Le Jesu/ Kammatla
7. Many Rivers to Cross/ Going Down Jordan/ Amen
8. Amazing Grace
9. Thula Baba
10. Sikulandile
11. Malaika 		play
12. Hlanganani
13. Bayete
14. Jerusalem
15. Holy City/ Bayete
16. African Dream

The Soweto Gospel Choir: 
Sibongile Makgathe, Fikle Sidumo, Jessica Mbangeni, Bongumusa Mabaso, 
Vincent Jiyane, Maserame Ndindwa, Noluthando Ngqunge (vocals).

South African choral music is renowned for passionate singing and soul-stirring harmonies. The Soweto Gospel Choir is made up of top talent from throughout that hard-scrabble yet celebrated Township. All sixteen tracks were seemingly recorded studio-live with no overdubbing or after-the-fact prettying-up. Paradise Road is led by a powerful pair of female voices who sing in English about walking hand-in-hand toward a place where there will be no more pain. It is almost unbearably poignant. A ceremonial yet ecstatic version of "Amazing Grace" renews the power and grandeur of a seriously hackneyed hymn. The selections are either sung a cappella or accompanied by a guitar-led mbaqanga combo, plus drums, hand-clapping, stamping, exhortations, whistling ,and high-pitched ululations. There is even a taste of sacred R&B and hip-hop! The lord being praised here is obviously a robust but loving realist; the voices are redolent of humanity in all its fragile, undying splendor. --Christina Roden

Soweto Gospel Choir’s Shanachie debut, Voices From Heaven, is a stunning recording that delivers the full range of the choir’s talent. The sheer aural beauty of the voices, both in powerful solo segments and lush choral harmonies, makes a memorable impact. But there also is an unquantifiable quotient of spirit—the heartfelt, sincere joyousness that cannot be taught or simulated—that infuses the Choir’s performances. It is this quality that enables them to make even very familiar material such as "Amazing Grace" or Jimmy Cliff’s "Many Rivers To Cross" sound fresh. The Choir moves easily from the traditional a capella Mbube, popularized internationally by Ladysmith Black Mambazo to straightforward church hymns to rollicking "township jive"-inflected numbers with band backing. The most universal, direct and powerful instrument is the human voice and on Voices From Heaven Soweto Gospel Choir revels in this "first instrument" as the essence of human musical expression. ---amazon.com

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Soweto Gospel Choir – African Spirit (2007)

2011-06-25T08:16:40Z

Soweto Gospel Choir – African Spirit (2007)


01. Seteng Sediba
02. Avulekile Amasango / One Love
03. I’ll Remember You
04. Ke Na Le Modisa
05. Akahlulwa Lutho
06. Sitting In Limbo / This Little Light Of Mine / M’ilo Vutha 
      Mathanjeni / If You Ever Needed The Lord
07. Izwi Lahlab’inhiliziyo Yami
08. Africa			play
09. One
10. Hlohonolofatsa
11. Hosanna
12. Sefapano
13. By The Rivers of Babylon
14. Modimo
15. Balm Of Gilead
16. Forever Young		play
17. Somlandela
18. Shosholoza
19. World In Union

The Soweto Gospel Choir: 
Joshua Mcineka (guitar, pennywhistle); 
Vusimuzi Shabalala (keyboards); 
Lucas Bok (bass guitar); 
Mandla Modawu (drums); 
Sipho Ngcamu, Velile Msimango, Mxolisi Sithole (percussion).

For their third album (the previous release, Blessed, won a 2007 Grammy for Best Traditional World Music Album), the now-world-famous ensemble of brave, passionate survivors, many of whom are living with HIV and AIDS, has crafted another heartbreakingly beautiful and inspiring program. They raise their voices in praise and hope, at peace with what cannot be changed but not remotely resigned about how to deal with it. The set list concentrates predominantly on South African spirituals but also includes pieces composed by Bono/U2 ("One"), Bob Dylan ("Forever Young"), and reggae icons Jimmy Cliff ("Sitting in Limbo"), and Bob Marley ("One Love"). There is even a rendition of "The World in Union", official anthem of 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, which is in turn based upon the "Jupiter" movement of Gustav Holst's The Planets. Some listeners may cavil at the crossover tracks, and Bono, heard live with the choir, certainly isn't shy about claiming his share of the spotlight. But building exclusionary fences around music has, thankfully, always been a colossal waste of time. Of whatever origin, each track is a miracle of fellowship, professed belief, and positive striving, interpreted by soloists and choristers of soul-deep, indestructible genius. ---Christina Roden

In the short time since their first CD release, Soweto Gospel Choir has become one of the most celebrated world music groups performing today. Their releases have hit the Top Ten of the Billboard World Music Charts and their coast-to-coast tours have electrified audiences across the country. They have been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Conan O'Brien show, Emeril Live, A & E's "Breakfast With The Arts", NPR's "Morning Edition" and many other major media outlets. African Spirit, the Choir's third CD, is their most accessible project yet with an irresistible mix of their versions of internationally known inspirational songs and distinctive South African gospel, including some of the songs that have received the greatest response from their audiences.

World renowned superstar Bono of U2 is a special guest vocalist on the Choir's scintillating version of Bob Marley's "One Love". Highlights of African Spirit are the Choir's powerful versions of such hits as "Many Rivers To Cross", Bob Dylan's "Forever Young", Jimmy Cliff's "Sitting In Limbo" and Nina Simone's "Balm Of Gilead". In support of African Spirit, Soweto Gospel Choir will launch a forty-city tour of North America beginning February 1st. This tour will cover all of the most popular cultural performance venues in all of the key cities including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington D.C. and more.

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Soweto Gospel Choir – Blessed (2005)

2011-06-22T18:22:23Z

Soweto Gospel Choir – Blessed (2005)


1. Shewane
2. Asimbonanga / Biko
3. Joko Yahao
4. A Place In Heaven
5. Njalo
6. I Bid You Goodnight
7. Lelitungelo Ngelakho
8. Oh Happy Day		play
9. Noyana
10. Masigiye'bo
11. Swing Down
12. Weeping			play
13. Thapelo
14. Woza Meli Wami
15. Mbube
16. Tshepa Thapelo
17. Khumbaya
18. Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrika (South African National Anthem)

Personnel:
Joshua Mcineka (guitar); 
Mpupile Mathibe (saxophone); 
Vusimuzi Shabalala (keyboards); 
Lucas Bok (bass instrument); 
Mandla Modawu (drums); 
Sipho Ngcamu, Bongumusa Mabaso (percussion).

As on their now-celebrated debut album, Voices From Heaven, this miraculous ensemble from Johannesburg's notorious/iconic Soweto township moves between Anglican-inspired and gospel-tinged hymns plus assorted home-wrought styles. The selections, performed in four languages including English, are either presented in a cappella arrangements, backed by a guitar band with percussion or wreathed in clapping, stomping and whistles. Soloists Sipokazi Luzipo and Vincent Jiyane are especial stand-outs; the latter's performance on "Weeping" could wring tears from a stone. Other unforgettable moments include "Noyana" and "Thapelo" but it is the more well-known tunes that fully reveal the ensemble’s power to transform. "Oh Happy Day," "Swing Down, Sweet Chariot," "Khumbaya" and Solomon Linda's deathless "Mbube (aka "Wimoweh" and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight") are resuscitated and refreshed, as is "Nkosi Sikele'iAfrika," South Africa's soaring national anthem. The atmosphere, while moving, is in no way sad or depressing. In fact, other than the awe-inspiring beauty of the singing, which seems to build a rainbow bridge between this world and the next, the overwhelming impression is of upbeat courage, dignity, grace and hope. --Christina Roden

It takes a talented choir to make "Khumbaye" sound fresh again, and this South African choral unit has what it takes. On their 2006 Grammy-nominated album, BLESSED (the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2005 debut), the multilingual group perform goosebump-inducing renditions of gospel classics like "Oh Happy Day" and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot," as well as Zulu spirituals and township jive. With more than 30 wonderful singers doing their best on excellent material, this is musical Prozac with no harmful side effects.

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