Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Classic or Dud/Search and Destroy

Came across their third, 1973 album at the Homestead Picking Parlor before hearing the news they were touring behind a new one, still led by the same guy after 50 years. I'd never explored their recordings, but the beauty of their music always struck me as a given, even if the language barrier and constantly resolving chords kept me from loving them too much.

Saw them last night, Joseph Shabalala and his old mates plus his four sons. Shabalala says he'll do it another 20 years and de-emphasizes himself in the group, leaving the stage to let others lead, but something very beautiful will be lost when he's no longer doing this. Man, that voice. I still think the chordings limit their appeal, but when they change things up, or do songs like "Homeless," it's as classic as classic gets, and they're very funny and good dancers live.

I was listening to an interview with Joe Boyd on Caropop, and towards the beginning, he mentions briefly that when Ladysmith Black Mambazo became popular in America in the wake of Graceland, ironically they were pretty much the soundtrack for the Zulu men who were trained to kill anyone in the A.N.C. whereas disco was the music of choice for those in the A.N.C. He didn't elaborate too much - it was just an example of what he's putting into a book on non-Western music - but anyone know more about this? (To be clear, he's not saying Joseph Shabalala and his group was aligned politically this way, but still it's kind of crazy if it's true.)

Anyway, I've only got two of their CD's: Classic Tracks from 1990 and The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo from 1992, both on Shanachie. I enjoy both discs quite a bit, but Classic Tracks seems like the stronger collection. Any recommendations on what should be heard first beyond these compilations?