The Collection

Gospel music is the biggest selling genre in South Africa and the Lusanda Spiritual Group rival Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Rebecca Malope among the top names. The group is in effect a vehicle for the voice of Lusanda Mcinga, who recorded her first album about 15 years ago, having been singing in churches on the eastern Cape, and has since released around a dozen more, most of them going platinum in South Africa. The Collection is slightly disappointing in that it is not the comprehensive ‘Best Of’ compilation that the title implies. Rather, it contains two complete and previously released albums, Abanye Bayawela and Umoya Wenkosi, plus a 2006 DVD entitled Ixilongo. The style is steeped in gospel tradition, with Lusanda’s voice leading a full choir with the accompaniment of a full band in which a churchy-sounding organ is prominent alongside acoustic guitar. Slightly less traditional is the throbbing township bass, which at times has an almost disco feel. To be honest, if you’re not swept along by the religious fervour, it can all get to sound a little tedious after half a dozen tracks, although it is undoubtedly uplifting in small doses. The main attraction is Lusanda’s fine voice, a deep-throated instrument of powerful earthiness and an undeniable sensuality. It is one of life’s great ironies that so many female gospel singers – Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples come to mind – are blessed with the sexiest voices in the world.