# help me find more African Choral music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 8, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-more-african-choral-music/173945 "2003-05-08T18:49:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-more-african-choral-music/173945/1 "2003-05-08T18:49:04Z")
One of my favorite CD’s is the soundtrack to the movie Power of One. Its one of the most amazing compilations of music I have EVER heard comprising of mostly traditional (or at least traditional sounding) music. Unfortunately, no one I’ve asked at any music store has been able to recommend anything like it. So I turn to this board. Can any savvy music guru PLEASE recommend me some more groups/choirs/ANYTHING that is similar? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-more-african-choral-music/173945/2 "2003-05-08T20:06:08Z")
I assume you are talking about [this movie](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002HB2/qid=1052422968/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-9608543-0667815?v=glance&s=music), and not _Pokemon 2000: The Power of One_ 😉 [Ladysmith Black Mambazo](http://www.mambazo.com/), a Zulu choral group from South Africa, is similar to the Bulawayo Church Choir on the album. They are pretty well known internationally, having appeared on Paul Simon’s _Graceland_ album. [Mbongeni Ngema](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000063VEA/ref=pm_dp_ln_m_2/103-9608543-0667815?v=glance&s=music&vi=samples) also features some similar music on some cuts. If you like African choral music, you might like the [Missa Luba](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000AS63/qid=1052424523/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-9608543-0667815?v=glance&s=music&n=507846). ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-more-african-choral-music/173945/3 "2003-05-08T20:25:13Z")
[Mbube Roots](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000038J/ref=pm_dp_ln_m_2/103-9608543-0667815?v=glance&s=music&vi=samples) features more “roots” type Zulu choral music. Listen to the sample “Mbube” on the album and you will recognize the original of “Wimoweh/The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” a folk hit in the 1950s. ---
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-more-african-choral-music/173945/4 "2003-05-12T15:43:16Z")
Colibri, thanks a lot! Thats just the stuff I was looking for. I really appreciate it. Please let me know if you can think of any more. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-more-african-choral-music/173945/5 "2003-05-12T16:07:39Z")
I’m a big fan of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, having looked for their stuff since I liked Graceland so much. Maybe I’ll check out some of Colibri’s other suggestions. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-more-african-choral-music/173945/6 "2003-05-13T04:38:05Z")
You might also enjoy the group “Sweet Honey in the Rock”, they do wonderful children’s albums based on traditional African music, and it’s mostly a capella. Similar question - I liked the percussion performers on Graceland. Any CDs I should check out? ---
**Author:** ![Earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/90db22/32.png) [@Earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthling)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-more-african-choral-music/173945/7 "2003-05-13T04:50:08Z")
I don’t know about _Graceland_, but the Brazilian drum ensemble **Olodum** is pretty prominently featured in _Rhythm of the Saints_. Check’em out. ---
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-more-african-choral-music/173945/8 "2003-05-15T18:16:59Z")
There was a song on the soundtrack for the Gods must Be Crazy when the schoolteacher is welcomed to the village. Anyone know who did that? (Couldnt find any listings of it)