Journey of Dreams
Studio album by
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Released1988
LabelWarner Bros.[1]
ProducerRuss Titelman, Joseph Shabalala
Ladysmith Black Mambazo chronology
Zibuyinhlazane
(1988) 		Journey of Dreams
(1988) 		Isigqi Zendoda
(1990)

Journey of Dreams is an album by the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, released in 1988.[2][3] Journey of Dreams also served as the title of a film about frontman Joseph Shabalala, directed by David Lister and shot around the same time.[4] Shabalala chose the title in part to describe his journey from his birthplace of Ladysmith to international success.[5] It also refers to his desire to get the sound he heard in his dreams on to record.[6]

The album was nominated for a Grammy Award, in the "Best Traditional Folk Recording" category.[7] The group supported it with North American tour.[8]

Production

The album was coproduced by Russ Titelman.[9] The group recorded two songs in tribute to Paul Simon, who had collaborated with them on Graceland.[10] Simon also arranged and sang on the group's version of "Amazing Grace".[11] "Hamba Dompasi (No More Passbook)" is about South Africa's pass laws.[12] "Bavim' Indela (The Stumbling Block)" is a tribute to Miriam Makeba and Hugh Maskela.[13] Ladysmith Black Mambazo sang two of the album's songs in English.[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[15]
Robert ChristgauB+[16]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[17]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[18]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[11]

Robert Christgau noted that "Simon takes the lead on 'Amazing Grace', the 'Send in the Clowns' of roots music."[16] The Philadelphia Inquirer determined that the album "elevates leader Joseph Shabalala's spirituals to theatrical heights."[19] The Toronto Star called it "a candid weaving of spiritually inspired Zulu folklore interspersed with vivid accounts of Ladysmith's own history."[12]

The Philadelphia Daily News praised the "winsome, frisky folk harmony sound."[20] The Richmond Times-Dispatch called Journey of Dreams "soulfully mesmerizing."[21] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch admired "the lush fullness of 10 male voices in thick harmony [and] the intricate rhythmic shifts of Shabalala's lead vocals around the dense response of the choir."[22]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Umusa Kankulunkulo (Mercy of God)" 
2."Lindelani (Get Ready)" 
3."Ukhalangami (You Cry for Me)" 
4."Bavim' Indela (The Stumbling Block)" 
5."Bashobha (Watch)" 
6."Nomakanjani (Dark or Blue)" 
7."Hamba Dompasi (No More Passbook)" 
8."Ungayoni Into Enhle (Destroy Not This Beauty)" 
9."Amaphiko Okundiza (Wings to Fly)" 
10."Wayibambezela (Don't Waste Her Time)" 
11."Ungakhohlwa (Don't Forget)" 
12."Amazing Grace" 

References

  1. ^ "Ladysmith Black Mambazo". Trouser Press. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Ladysmith Black Mambazo Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Holmes, Tim (Nov 1988). "Spins". Spin. 4 (8): 90.
  4. ^ Erlmann, Veit (June 3, 1999). "Music, Modernity, and the Global Imagination: South Africa and the West". Oxford University Press – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Washburn, Jim (23 Sep 1988). "Ladysmith Makes a Dream Come True". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 23.
  6. ^ Hawkins, Robert J. (September 21, 1988). "South African band soars after boost by Paul Simon". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. C1.
  7. ^ "Ladysmith Black Mambazo". Recording Academy. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  8. ^ Delean, Paul (14 Nov 1988). "Mambazo show simple, warm". The Gazette. Montreal. p. D6.
  9. ^ McAdams, Jannie C. (Nov 19, 1988). "Black Mambazo Launches 'Journey of Dreams'". Billboard. 100 (47): 29.
  10. ^ Erskine, Evelyn (30 Sep 1988). "Quiet ray of hope from Africa". Ottawa Citizen. p. B6.
  11. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 411–412.
  12. ^ a b Potter, Mitch (11 Nov 1988). "Ladysmith braving post-Simon slump". Toronto Star. p. D16.
  13. ^ Bourke, Brian G. (November 10, 1988). "LANGUAGE IS NO BARRIER TO THIS GROUP'S MESSAGE". Syracuse Herald-Journal. p. E1.
  14. ^ Morse, Steve (16 Nov 1988). "THE GATES ARE OPENING FOR LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO". ARTS AND FILM. The Boston Globe. p. 86.
  15. ^ "Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Journey of Dreams Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  16. ^ a b "Robert Christgau: CG: Ladysmith Black Mambazo". www.robertchristgau.com.
  17. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 62.
  18. ^ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 416.
  19. ^ Moon, Tom (5 Nov 1988). "The most popular African choir...". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D1.
  20. ^ Takiff, Jonathan (18 Nov 1988). "MUSICAL MISSIONARIES". FEATURES FRIDAY. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 62.
  21. ^ Bustard, Clarke (October 16, 1988). "A different manner of speaking musically surges out of South Africa...". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. J4.
  22. ^ Pick, Steve (October 21, 1988). "LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO BRINGS MBUBE SOUND HERE". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 5G.
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