In its soulful a capella rhythms, Ladysmith Black Mambazo gives voice to the oppressed in South Africa's black townships. Born in the town of Ladysmith in 1964, during the worst days of South Africa's apartheid system, the group arose when Joseph Shabalala brought family and friends together, forming a Zulu choir which performed "township jive." This jive had its origin in the sometimes stomping, sometimes dancing "on tiptoe" movements of the African men who worked for low wages in South Africa's mines and entertained each other with songs of hope, separation, and loss. Back in the townships, these songfests became all-night competitions, part concert, part fashion show. The Oscar nominated On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom explores Mambazo's rise through the nuanced world of these competitions, with music grafting together elements of soul, rhythm and blues, gospel, doo wop, and rock. In fact, Mambazo's gift for harmony proved irresistible to Paul Simon, who employed them as backup for his landmark '80s Graceland album (during a controversial tour both Simon and Mambazo were lambasted for ignoring an international boycott against South African performers). Sadly, native African music is still hard to find in some South African record stores, and the choir's popularity didn't prevent the murder of member Headman Shabalala (Joseph's brother) by a white policeman in 1991. Fortunately, the music of this world-renowned group--seen here in both rehearsal and performance--remains unflaggingly upbeat. Definitely recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom
(2000) 56 min. $49.95: high schools & public libraries; $195: colleges & universities. California Newsreel. PPR. Color cover. Volume 16, Issue 6
On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom
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