Soft, stirring, harmonious and soaring, that's the sound of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The singing stems from a harsh regime that stifled the migrant workers' weekend celebratory singing and dancing.

In their hostels, miles from families and their homeland, their exuberance was quashed and yet they still sang and danced but in gentle soothing vocal harmonies and light steps.

This was the singing that echoed round the Concert Hall at Fairfield on Sunday evening.

A sell-out show had people paying for standing room to catch this mesmerising concert.

But the show started with more lively choruses from the Women of Mambazo. Equally having their songs wrung from strife they had could sing louder and dance traditional Zulu style.

Zulu means heaven, and the songs from Mambazo all focus on redemption and release from suffering.

But there is humour and a joy of living that shines through the glorious harmonies. The dancing is athletic and crazy. The good mood is infectious.

Joseph Shabalala, founder and leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, explained the cultural songs, but the feelings and emotions transcended any language barrier.

Just pure voices. Joseph's distinctive trembling tenor voice the others adding tongue clicks, hissing, whooping and yelping give texture and variety to songs which are all of a similar beat.

We also learnt some Zulu and from the people of Croydon I say a heartfelt Ngiyabonga (thankyou) to Joseph for letting us share his world.

December 3, 2001 13:00