Rhythm of the Pride Lands

Rhythm of the Pride Lands
Soundtrack album by Lebo M
Released February 28, 1995
Recorded January 1993 - April 1994
Media Ventures, Los Angeles
Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles
Snake Ranch, London
Angel Studios, London
BOP studios, Mmabatho
Genre Soundtrack
Label Walt Disney
Producer Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Hans Zimmer, John Van Tongeren
Lebo M (co-producer)

Rhythm of the Pride Lands is an audio CD released on February 28, 1995 by Walt Disney Records, a "sequel" to the original motion picture soundtrack of the animated film The Lion King. The CD was originally an independent project developed by Jay Rifkin and Lebo M and included songs and performances inspired by, but not featured in the film. As the project developed Disney came on board and supported the project. Most of the tracks were composed by African composer Lebo M and producer Jay Rifkin and focused primarily on the African influences of the film's original music, with most songs being sung either partially or entirely in various African languages. Several songs featured in the album would later have incarnations in other The Lion King-oriented projects, inspiring Julie Taymor's stage musical or the direct-to-video sequels, such as "He Lives in You". As of April 1997, the album had sold more than 900,000 copies and by October 1998 was certified platinum.[1][2][3]

"Warthog Rhapsody", which delved deeper into the origins of Pumbaa than "Hakuna Matata" did, was originally recorded to be included in the movie, but was cut out during storyboard and never animated. The song was later reworked with new lyrics into the song "That's All I Need" for The Lion King 1½.

Rhythm of the Pride Lands was initially printed in a very limited quantity. Today it is available digitally through the iTunes Store.

Track listing

The initial release of the album included the following tracks:

  1. "He Lives in You" – 4:51 ( sample )
    Music and lyrics by Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and Lebo M
    Arranged by Mark Mancina
    Produced by Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin
    Performed by Lebo M with Maxi Anderson, Max Ngcobo, Khanyo Maphumulo, Khululiwe Sithole and Rose Stone
  2. "Hakuna Matata" – 4:24
    Music by Elton John; Lyrics by Tim Rice
    Arranged by Fabian Cooke and Mark Mancina
    Produced by Jay Rifkin, Fabian Cooke and Mark Mancina
    Performed by Jimmy Cliff and Lebo M
  3. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" – 3:33
    Music (revised) and lyrics by George David Weiss, Luigi Creatore, Hugo Peretti, and Solomon Linda (uncredited)
    Additional lyrics by Lebo M
    Arranged and produced by Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin
    Performed by Lebo M
  4. "Kube" – 3:46
    Music by Caiphus Semenya and Lebo M; Lyrics by Caiphus Semenya
    Arranged by John Van Tongeren and Lebo M
    Produced by Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren
    Performed by Lebo M with Khanyo Maphumulo
  5. "Lea Halalela (Holy Land)" – 6:02 ( sample )
    Music and lyrics by Hans Zimmer and Lebo M
    Arranged by Hans Zimmer and John Van Tongeren
    Produced by Hans Zimmer, Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren
    Performed by Khululiwe Sithole
  6. "It's Time" – 4:26
    Music and lyrics by Jay Rifkin, John Van Tongeren and Lebo M
    Arranged by John Van Tongeren and Lebo M
    Produced by Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren
    Performed by Lebo M
    Engineered by Randy Noble
  7. "One by One" – 3:10
    Music and lyrics by Lebo M
    Arranged by Lebo M
    Performed by Lebo M & South African Choir
  8. "Warthog Rhapsody" – 3:06
    Music by Elton John; Lyrics by Tim Rice
    Arranged by Hans Zimmer and Bruce Fowler
    Produced by Hans Zimmer, Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin
    Performed by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella
  9. "Lala" – 4:34 ( sample )
    Music and lyrics by Hans Zimmer, Jay Rifkin and Lebo M
    Arranged by John Van Tongeren
    Produced by Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren
  10. "Busa" – 4:04
    Music and lyrics by Hans Zimmer, Jay Rifkin and Lebo M
    Arranged by John Van Tongeren and Lebo M
    Additional vocal arrangements by Mbongeni Ngema
    Performed by Lebo M & South African Choir
  11. "Noyana" – 5:13
    Traditional African Folk Song
    Arranged by John Van Tongeren, Jay Rifkin and Lebo M
    Produced by Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren

In 2003, Rhythm of the Pride Lands was included in some international versions of The Lion King's special edition soundtrack with an additional track:

  1. "Circle of Life"
    Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice; performed by Disney Channel Circle of Stars

References

  1. ↑ 'Lion King' musical: Masks and magic by Mike Steele, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune 4/20/97
  2. ↑ 'LION KING' - Roaring Only in Stores by Susan King, Los Angeles Times staff writer
  3. ↑ Walt Disney Records Returns to Pride Rock With "Songs Inspired by `The Lion King II: Simba's Pride'", Business Wire, Oct 5, 1998