Vusi Mahlasela - Guiding Star Naledi Ya Tsela

stephaniegtravis

Review by Stephanie Travis

Guiding Star Naledi Ya Tsela: Vusi Mahlasela’s Raw, Unfiltered Soul Let’s get one thing straight—Vusi Mahlasela doesn’t make music for the faint-hearted. His 2007 album Guiding Star Naledi Ya Tsela is a punch in the gut, but in the best way possible. This isn’t some polished pop nonsense; it’s raw African folk with grit and guts, spilling over with emotion that grabs you by the throat and won’t let go. Released under Wrasse Records in the UK, this record feels like a journey through pain, hope, and resilience—all wrapped up in Vusi’s unmistakable voice. Now, I’ll be real here—I didn’t expect to connect with every track on this album. But two songs hit me so hard they’re still stuck in my head weeks later. First off, “Sower Of Words.” Damn. That song hits different. It’s got this haunting rhythm, almost hypnotic, like it’s calling out to something deep inside you. Vusi’s lyrics are poetic as hell, weaving stories about struggle and survival without sugarcoating anything. You can feel the weight of his words—they don’t just sit there; they demand your attention. And honestly? If you’re not moved by this track, check your pulse because you might be dead. Then there’s “Thula Mama,” which flips the script entirely. Where “Sower Of Words” is intense and brooding, this one sneaks up on you with its tenderness. The melody feels like a warm hug from someone who knows exactly what you’ve been through. When Vusi sings, it’s like he’s whispering directly into your soul. The harmonies swell gently, pulling you deeper into the story. By the time the last note fades, you’re left sitting there, staring into space, wondering how the hell he managed to bottle up so much emotion in five minutes. The rest of the album keeps the energy alive too. Tracks like “Mighty River” and “Heaven In My Heart” bring their own fire, mixing traditional African sounds with modern touches that keep things fresh. Even when he covers older tunes like “Pata Pata,” Vusi makes them his own, injecting new life into classics that could’ve easily felt tired. But let’s talk about the unexpected kicker—this album ain’t perfect. Some tracks drag a bit, and if you’re looking for high-energy bangers, you might walk away disappointed. But maybe that’s the point. Guiding Star Naledi Ya Tsela forces you to slow down, listen closely, and really feel. It’s not background noise—it’s a conversation. Here’s the wild part though: listening to this album made me realize something kinda messed up. We live in an era where music has become disposable, churned out fast and forgotten faster. Albums like this remind us why we fell in love with music in the first place—it tells stories that stick, voices that echo long after the final track ends. So yeah, call me crazy, but I think everyone needs to hear this at least once. Even if it kicks you right in the feels. Final thought? Screw playlists. Put this on repeat and let Vusi do the talking.

Download Vusi Mahlasela - Guiding Star Naledi Ya Tsela
Artist: Vusi Mahlasela
Album: Guiding Star Naledi Ya Tsela
Rating: 5.0

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: vusi-mahlasela-guiding-star-naledi-ya-tsela.zip
  • MP3 size: 123.2 mb
  • FLAC size: 579.2 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Mighty River
River Jordan
Jabula
Everytime
Sower Of Words
Our Sand
Susana
Pata Pata
Tibidi Waka
Ntombi Mbali
Moleko
Chamber Of Justice
Song For Thandi
Thula Mama
Tonti
Heaven In My Heart

Images

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Catalog Numbers

WRASS 203

Labels

Wrasse Records

Listen online

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  • ouvir online
  • online anhören
  • ascolta in linea
  • kuunnella verkossa
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Formats

  • CD
  • Album

Notes

  • Standard Jewel Case
  • ℗ 2007 South Africa © Sony BMG Music Entertainment Africa (PTY) Ltd.
  • Licensed to Wrasse Records Limited in territory.

Barcodes

  • Barcode: 5 06000 272467
  • Matrix / Runout: IMPRESS WRASS203 01
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI L135
  • Mould SID Code: IFPI 0434

About Vusi Mahlasela

Vusi Mahlasela was born in Lady Selbourne, Pretoria in 1965 and grew up in Mamelodi, a township famed as a cradle of culture which has produced many of Black South Africas greatest musicians and writers. Vusi cant remember a time when he wasnt singing as a child... "Im sure I learned to sing before I could talk" he says. Listening-in his grandmothers shebeen-to men singing ingomabusuku or songs of the night? The young Vusi began to teach himself to play his home-made guitar, a remarkable instrument made of tin cans and fishing line. Formal guitar lessons began when he entered high school, where he set about putting together a vocal group of his own. His teachers marvelled at his amazing vocal range which enabled him to continue singing soprano parts in school productions well into his teens. He found himself drawn to themes with social and political significance and he became much in demand at political rallies and cultural events. This drew him into close contact with poetry groups, which led to him joining the Ancestors of Africa. This group of poets, musicians and actors, formed in 1981, stirred up some turbulence among the current police force, who harassed its members. It was after joining the Congress of South African Writers in 1988, that Vusi developed a new level of confidence as a poet and a writer and into contact with other artists and poets who were to influence him greatly. He struck up a creative friendship with South African poet at the same time he fell under the jazz and traditional music spell of artists like and . He was exposed to the work of , whom Vusi acknowledges as having had perhaps the strongest influence on his music and lyrics.

Real Name

    • Vusi Mahlasela

Name Vars

  • Mahlasela
  • V. Mahlasela
  • Vusi

Members

  • Abbey Cindi

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? Vusi Mahlasela's album *Guiding Star Naledi Ya Tsela* is a beautiful mix of African folk sounds. Released in 2007 in the UK, it carries deep cultural vibes. Tracks like *Thula Mama* and *Pata Pata* resonate with raw emotion. The album feels like a journey through storytelling and melody. It’s more than music—it’s a piece of heritage.