Fact: This compilation was released before Graceland was—1985 in the UK, on Earthworks, and a year later, concurrent with Paul Simon’s album, in America by Shanachie. But it’s still a chicken-or-egg question, since these twelve songs, recorded between 1981 and 1984, are precisely what Simon went to Johannesburg to siphon. He’d done so before this compilation was issued, but the cohesion and thrust of The Indestructible Beat of Soweto bears comparison with the most through-composed single-artist discs, Paul’s included. Out-of-nowhere vocal trills, jumpy bass, and spider-like guitar are consistent traits, sequenced perfectly, with Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s a cappella finisher like lemon icing.