Music to soothe the soul and relax every muscle in my body. Had I not had to rush back into the office to write this review, I would have left the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium limp, my entire being so relaxed, massaged by the ever rolling melodic hum that underscored the entire programme presented by Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

To a sold out performance in their Bermuda debut, the ten strong South African troupe had a lot to live up to.

Expectations were high as tickets to their performances were hands down the most sought after by Bermuda Festival goers this year.

Originally slated to give two performances, the Festival organisers were successful in securing the wonderful group for an additional night as requests for their act just poured in.

And the eager audience seemed to lap up the rich yet gentle vibrant sound of the singing Zulu men in white sneakers.

The first half was like a half hour Lifesavers commercial, albeit with a snazzy twist at the end as the performers kicked and swished their limbs. And much of the gesticulating was part and parcel of the sound of each piece.

Legs and arms high in the air, the sonorous group triggered the production of a calming hormone that put my whole being at peace during the second half of their performance.

Included in the programme was ‘Homeless' a song I found myself singing along with and wondering why, until I finally remembered it was included in Paul Simon's ‘Graceland' album.

That award winning album was the medium by which group was first introduced to the rest of the world.

Founded by Joseph Shabalala after a dream he experienced in 1964, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has come to represent the traditional culture of their country more than any other group of performers in recent memory.

Considered a national treasure of the new South Africa, in part because they embody traditions suppressed under the old regime, its members have come to be regarded as the country's international cultural emissaries.

They have undertaken tours to Asia, Europe, the US and Australia, each closing with founder Joseph Shabalala delivering his message from the stage: “Go with peace, love and harmony. Love one another.”

And last night was no exception as Mr. Shabalala sang the word peace three times then “love” and “harmony” before saying goodnight to an audience who if they were like me, must have left the auditorium more refreshed than when they arrived.

Festival goers tonight and tomorrow night should can put aside any expectations of a lively affair and embrace the total relaxation that can be had by simply allowing the music, the full bodied sound, to move into and through them.