The debut recording for
the Soweto Gospel Choir
,
Voices From Heaven
, sets a very high bar for rich, melodious, vocals and spirit-lifting musical power. The 32-odd members of
deliver enough
gospel
/
soul
to make listeners forget about their old choir standbys. This 16-track CD offers a wide variety of
music, from
traditional
Zulu
hymns
, African-American
spirituals
, to modern takes on classics such as
Jimmy Cliff
's
"Many Rivers to Cross."
Every tune packs an awe-inspiring punch but standouts are a soaring interpretation of
"Paradise Road,"
the contagious township jive of
"Ahuna Ya Tswang Le Jesu/Kammatia"
and the upbeat joy of
"Sikulandie."
~ Rosalind Cummings-Yeates