Here is a new song from South African gospel institution Joyous Celebration titled “Wenzile (Live).” The worship record is over eight minutes long, written and composed by Sibusiso Mthembu and was released as part of their “Joyous Celebration 22: All For You (Live)” project under Sound African Recordings.
Since Mthunzi Namba, Jabu Hlongwane and Lindelani Mkhize formed Joyous Celebration in 1994, the group has been one of South Africa’s most awarded gospel groups. Thirty years into their ministry, their repertoire boasts 15 South African Music Awards, two Metro FM Music Awards and double platinum on their ninth volume. Wenzile easily slots into a history of praise singing in the Zulu language that cuts beyond denominational and generational barriers.
Sibusiso Mthembu’s music is constructed on a festive Zulu gospel framework, with choir harmonies, live instrumentation and call-and-response phrasing that rewards a room full of people singing together. The arrangement is warm and communal throughout, never pursuing a stadium moment it hasn’t earned first.
A live recording that clocks in at nearly 8 minutes, it shows the spontaneous worship flow that recorded versions often can’t equal. That shared texture is exactly what makes a live gospel record different from a studio gospel record.
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