Performer name:  The Lion King: Original Broadway Cast

CD Title:  The Lion King

Genre(s):  Showtunes, Soundtrack, heavy African influence

Your own words on why you're recommending this CD:  I saw this performed a few months ago and thought it was pretty awesome.  I'll admit, I had some reservations about a few staging elements (not a fan of breaking the 4th wall) but the music was amazing.  Obviously you've got the famous Elton John/Tim Rice music from the movie but, for me, the true highlights here are the songs/chants by assorted collaborators including Lebo M, Jay Rifkin, Mark Mancina, Hans Zimmer, and Julie Taymor. "Grasslands Chant," "The Lioness Hunt," "Rafiki Mourns," and "One by One" are all African chant numbers.  Whether joyful or sorrowful I find them beautiful. 
The main reason I bought this CD was for "They Live in You"/"He Lives In You (Reprise)" which, for me, are deeply spiritual.  In the musical the song is originally sung by Mufasa as he tells his boy about his connection to his ancestors.  Later, the reprise is sung by Rafiki to remind Simba that his father is still with him.  They both make me think about God and my own ancestors.  I hear this song was also featured in one of the Lion King movie sequels but not having seen them I can't vouch for that.
"Shadowland" was a song I wasn't familiar with until purchasing this CD.  It's Nala's big number and a lamentation about the declining state of Pride Rock.  The song, backed by a female chorus, also voices her intention to set out to right things.  I really liked that the musical had more of a powerfully feminine aspect to it than the animated film. 
Finally, the song that became my favorite (although "He Lives in You" remains a close second): "Endless Night."  It's a song that begins in hopelessness and abandonment:
"Where has the starlight gone?/ Dark is the day/ How can I find my way home?/ Home is an empty dream/ Lost to the night/ father, I feel so alone."
And then it moves onto a hope-filled joy:
"I know that the night must end/ I know that the sun will rise/ And I'll hear your voice deep inside/ I know that the night must end/ And that the clouds must clear/ The sun/ The sun will rise!/ The sun/ The sun will rise!"
I still get goosebumps every time I hear this song and I've heard it tons because it's currently the only CD near my computer so I absently pop it in quite often.
If it means anything, I've had this CD since february and have to bring myself to put it away with the rest of my CDs.  It remains on my desk, easily accessible.

(Font: Alpha Romanie)

(Background graphic is a photo I took of a lil frog at Lauritzen Gardens.  It's a great place to go to see froggies and turkeys.)