Last month, Ladysmith Black Mambazo released their 37th album on the Gallo label. Titled Lihl’ Ixhiba Likagogo and literally meaning “My Grandmother’s House is Beautiful”, it comprises a collection of Zulu harmonies in traditional isicathamiya style. The LBM sound, which first caught the international spotight through Paul Simon’s Graceland tour, has become famous around the world. The group recently returned to their home base of Durban after a three month sell-out concert tour which saw them performing at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall in London.

“Mambazo” means “axe” in Zulu and leader Joseph Shabalala is often quoted as explaining that the origin of the name came from their desire to “cut down the opposition” in the early days when they appeared in local singing competitions.

LBM are the biggest-selling artists in South African music history, last year selling nearly a million copies of their CD in Europe. At the launch of the new album in Durban, Gallo executives presented the group with the three trophies they recently won at the FNB Sama awards but were unable to accept personally as they were away on tour.