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Malibongwe (CD)

MALIBONGWE
The gospel collection with new songs
Lead singer: Brenda Fassie [et al?]
CCP/EMI SA. £12.95 (http://www.sternsmusic.com)

Malibongwe in the Zulu language means here ‘Let [His name] be praised’.

This recently released collection is attributed to the late Brenda Fassie, sometimes dubbed ‘The Madonna of the Townships’, owing to her turbulent life which led to her untimely death in 2004 at the age of 39. Furthermore, the first two tracks on the album, said to be from ‘earlier sessions’, do not sound to me like Brenda herself. Indeed, in the South African and Botswana press, there have been allegations that the voice on these is actually that of Olebile Sedumedi, a remarkable singer from Botswana.

None of this sounds promising for a ‘Gospel’ album. Yet, in spite of all this, I find this one of the most remarkable Gospel albums I have ever heard. The first two tracks are outstanding — absolutely amazing! — with the atmospheric contrast between the high lead voice and the deep background harmony of the surging, rolling choir. And it is great to find what I regard as most of Brenda’s best previous album material on a single CD. South Africa officially recognizes 11 languages and no less than five of them are represented here, including three songs in English, one of them being an outstanding reggae version of ‘Soon and Very Soon’. There is also a brilliant rendition of the Zulu classic, ‘Vuma’. Highly recommended!

Mike Taylor