Miriam Makeba | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Following a three-decade-long exile, Miriam Makebas return to South Africa was celebrated as though a queen was restoring her monarchy. The response was fitting as Makeba remains the most important female vocalist to emerge out of South Africa. Hailed as the Empress of African Song and Mama Africa, Makeba helped bring African music to a global audience in the 60s. Nearly five decades after her debut with the Manhattan Brothers, she continues to play an important role in the growth of African music. Makebas life has consistently been marked by struggle. As the daughter of a sangoma, a mystical traditional healer of the Xhosa tribe, she spent six months of her birth year in jail with her mother. Gifted with a dynamic vocal tone, Makeba recorded her debut single, "Lakutshona Llange," as a member of the Manhattan Brothers in 1953. Although she left to form an all-female group named the Skylarks in 1958, she reunited with members of the Manhattan Brothers when she accepted the lead female role in a musical version of King Kong, which told the tragic tale of Black African boxer, Ezekiel "King Kong" Dlamani, in 1959. The same year, she began an 18-month tour of South Africa with Alf Herberts musical extravaganza, African Jazz and Variety, and made an appearance in a documentary film, Come Back Africa. These successes led to invitations to perform in Europe and the United States. Makeba was embraced by the African American community. "Pata Pata," Makebas signature tune, was written by Dorothy Masuka and recorded in South Africa in 1956 before eventually becoming a major hit in the U.S. in 1967. In late 1959, she performed for four weeks at the Village Vanguard in New York. She later made a guest appearance during Harry Belafontes groundbreaking concerts at Carnegie Hall. A double-album of the event, released in 1960, received a Grammy award. Makeba has continued to periodically renew her collaboration with Belafonte, releasing an album in 1972 titled Belafonte & Miriam Makeba. Makeba then made a special guest appearance at the Harry Belafonte Tribute at Madison Square Garden in 1997. Makebas successes as a vocalist were also balanced by her outspoken views about apartheid. In 1960, the government of South Africa revoked her citizenship. For the next 30 years, she was forced to be a "citizen of the world." Makeba received the Dag Hammerskjold Peace Prize in 1968. After marrying radical black activist Stokely Carmichael, many of her concerts were canceled, and her recording contract with RCA was dropped, resulting in even more problems for the artist. She eventually relocated to Guinea at the invitation of president Sekou Toure and agreed to serve as Guineas delegate to the United Nations. In 1964 and 1975, she addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations on the horrors of apartheid. Makeba remained active as a musician over the years. In 1975, she recorded an album, A Promise, with Joe Sample, Stix Hooper, Arthur Adams, and David T. Walker of the Crusaders. Makeba joined Paul Simon and South Africa s Ladysmith Black Mambazo during their worldwide Graceland tour in 1987 and 1988. Two years later, she joined Odetta and Nina Simone for the One Nation tour. Makeba published her autobiography, Miriam: My Story, in English in 1988 and subsequently had it translated and published in German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. Following Nelson Mandelas release from prison, Makeba returned to South Africa in December 1990. She performed her first concert in her homeland in 30 years in April 1991. She appeared in South African award-winning musical Sarafina in 1992 in the role of Sarafinas mother. Two years later, she reunited with her first husband, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, for the Tour of Hope tour. In 1995, Makeba formed a charity organization to raise funds to help protect the women of South Africa. The same year, she performed at the Vaticans Nevi Hall during a worldwide broadcast, Christmas in the Vatican. Makebas first studio album in a decade, Homeland, was released in 2000. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 29 Title: Miriam Makeba Released: 1960 Tracks: 12 Duration: 32:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Retreat Song (02:37) 2 Suliram (02:46) 3 The Click Song (02:33) 4 Olilili (02:35) 5 Lakutshn, Ilanga (02:10) 6 Mbube (03:22) 7 The Naughty Little Flea (03:50) 8 Where Does It Lead (02:33) 9 Nomeva (02:41) 10 Saduva (02:31) 11 One More Dance (02:44) 12 Iya Guduza (02:06) |
| Miriam Makeba : Allmusic album Review : Miriam Makeba had just made a splash in New York nightclubs and earned a fistful of press only a few months earlier when RCA Victor Records snapped her up and recorded her first album in May 1960. Clearly, the label was hoping to repeat the success of her mentor, Harry Belafonte, whose Belafonte Folk Singers accompanied her on some tracks and who wrote a blurb for the albums back cover. Like Belafonte, she was a black singer with an exotic, folk-based repertoire who could translate her music into a sophisticated club act. In addition to the Belafonte troupe, which appeared on the calypso tune "The Naughty Little Flea," a song that sounded like a Belafonte number, the Chad Mitchell Trio joined her on "Mbube," aka the Weavers "Wimoweh," and Charles Coleman was her duet partner on the comic Austrian tune "One More Dance." She also turned in an early version of "House of the Rising Sun." Such familiar material offset the songs sung in her native South African tongue of Xhosa. Makeba had an expressive voice and was extremely versatile, as the range of material indicates. But despite the critical raves, she may have been a bit too exotic to be commercial on her first album, which was not a big seller. RCA let her go to Kapp Records for her second album, but came calling again three years later. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 29 Title: Pata Pata Released: 1967 Tracks: 11 Duration: 32:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Pata Pata (03:01) 2 Ha Po Zamani (02:58) 3 What Is Love (02:43) 4 Maria Fulo (02:36) 5 Yetentu Tizaleny (02:52) 6 Click Song Number 1 (02:19) 7 Ring Bell, Ring Bell (02:50) 8 JolInkomo (02:57) 9 West Wind (02:47) 10 Saduva (03:42) 11 A Piece of Ground (03:42) |
 | Album: 3 of 29 Title: Comme une symphonie damour / Malaisha / Sabelani / African Convention Released: 1979 Tracks: 9 Duration: 41:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Chicken (Kikirikiki) (04:22) 2 Malaisha (Bring the Axe) (03:40) 3 Iyaguduza (05:38) 4 Ndibanga hamba (03:25) 5 Comme une symphonie damour (03:45) 6 Sabelani (04:46) 7 Ngewundini (04:32) 8 African Convention (05:10) 9 Murtala (06:20) |
 | Album: 4 of 29 Title: The Queen of African Music Released: 1987 Tracks: 11 Duration: 48:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 African Convention (05:07) 2 I Shall Sing (02:41) 3 Goodbye Poverty (05:31) 4 Malaisha (03:40) 5 Pata pata (02:50) 6 We Got to Make It (04:12) 7 Chicken (Kikirikiki) (04:23) 8 The Lion Cries (04:57) 9 Ndibanga hamba (05:48) 10 Iyaguduza (05:26) 11 Click Song (03:34) |
 | Album: 5 of 29 Title: Sangoma Released: 1988 Tracks: 19 Duration: 42:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Emabhaceni (02:39) 2 Baxabene Oxamu (02:16) 3 Ngalala Phantsi (02:33) 4 Ihoyiya (01:30) 5 Kulo Nyaka (02:22) 6 Baya Jabula (02:24) 7 Mabhongo (01:26) 8 Ingwemabala (01:58) 9 Mosadi Ku Rima (03:14) 10 Angilalanga (02:20) 11 Ungakanani (01:29) 12 Ngiya Khuyeka (01:39) 13 Nyankwabe (01:57) 14 Sabumoya (01:47) 15 Congo (02:48) 16 Nginani Na (02:40) 17 Umam Uyajabula (02:01) 18 Nyamuthla (02:31) 19 Icala (03:14) |
| Sangoma : Allmusic album Review : Makebas comeback album, her first U.S. release in almost a decade, is a beautiful collection of traditional South African songs with spare production values that highlight the power of Makebas vocals. This is an excellent set of Xhosa folk songs she learned as a child. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 29 Title: Welela Released: 1989 Tracks: 10 Duration: 45:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Amampondo (05:20) 2 African Sunset (05:48) 3 Djiu De Galinha (04:08) 4 A luta continua (04:50) 5 Soweto Blues (04:18) 6 Welela (03:18) 7 Hapo Zamani (04:29) 8 Pata pata (03:53) 9 Saduva (04:43) 10 Africa (04:33) |
| Welela : Allmusic album Review : A child of apartheid, and an artist who was forced to live in exile, Miriam Makeba has endured decades of struggle, witnessing the ravages of racism and intolerance all her life. However, her music is uplifting and celebratory. Makeba was once quoted as saying, "Im only happy when I sing." Clearly, this joy comes across on WELELA, which is influenced by the popular music of Makebas homeland. "Pata Pata (Touch Touch)" is an exultant tune about dancing, while "A Luta Continua" is a song of resilience that is dedicated to the people of Mozambique. However, the most moving song here is "Soweto Blues," which recounts the events of June 16th, 1976, when children in the eponymous township decided to protest oppression and apartheid. Their opposition was called a riot, and sparked a government massacre that killed 600. A funky groove complements Makebas strong, passionate voice on this song, and the lyric, incredibly, retains an air of hope despite the distressing subject matter. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 29 Title: Eyes on Tomorrow Released: 1991 Tracks: 9 Duration: 40:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Still Long for You (04:43) 2 Eyes on Tomorrow (04:09) 3 Dont Break My Heart (04:35) 4 Thina Sizonqoba (04:16) 5 We Speak Peace (05:08) 6 Thulasizwe / I Shall Be Released (03:46) 7 Vukani (05:06) 8 Birds (03:11) 9 Live the Future (05:30) |
| Eyes on Tomorrow : Allmusic album Review : Born in Johannesburg, South Africa of Zulu origin, Miriam Makeba has been affectionately and deservedly dubbed "Mama Africa" by millions of fans worldwide. This 1991 release by South Africas queen of song embraces several different styles of music. "I Still Long For You" has a distinct R&B flavor, while "Dont Break My Heart" is a sorrowful jazz ballad that features the great Dizzy Gillespie singing in duet with Makeba, and also playing a beautiful trumpet solo. Songs such as "Thulasizwe/I Shall Be Released" and "Thina Sizonqoba" evoke Makebas South African roots, the latter also featuring a fine performance by Nina Simone. Finally, "Vukani" spotlights the unique trumpet stylings of Makebas ex-husband, Hugh Masekela. More pop-oriented than some of her earlier work, EYES ON TOMORROW finds Miriam Makeba making a bold attempt to combine commercial musical genres with rootsy African music. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 29 Title: Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks, Volume 1 Released: 1991 Tracks: 16 Duration: 40:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Inkomo zodwa (02:27) 2 Nomalungelo (02:25) 3 Make Us One (02:33) 4 Siyavuya (02:39) 5 Holilili (02:35) 6 Sindiza ngecadillacs (02:25) 7 Live Humble (02:25) 8 Mtshakasi (02:18) 9 Uthando luyaphela (02:28) 10 Phansi kwalomhlaba (02:34) 11 Kutheni sithandwa (02:36) 12 Miriam and Spokes Phatha Phatha (02:36) 13 Yini madoda (02:34) 14 Umbhaqanga (02:37) 15 Miriams Goodbye to Africa (02:47) 16 Table Mountain (02:22) |
 | Album: 9 of 29 Title: Folk Songs From Africa Released: 1994 Tracks: 18 Duration: 47:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Click Song (02:17) 2 The Retreat Song (02:35) 3 Mbube (03:22) 4 Suliram (02:46) 5 Olilili (02:35) 6 Amampondo (01:59) 7 Nomeva (02:41) 8 Pole Mze (02:17) 9 Saduva (02:31) 10 Iya guduza (02:08) 11 Kilimanjaro (03:06) 12 Qhude (02:40) 13 Dubula (02:48) 14 Umhome (02:53) 15 Kwedini (02:19) 16 Maduna (03:51) 17 Lakutshn ilanga (02:11) 18 Mayibuye (02:22) |
 | Album: 10 of 29 Title: Sing Me a Song Released: 1994 Tracks: 14 Duration: 52:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sing Me a Song (03:52) 2 Bass Rap (05:03) 3 Ndiarabi (03:47) 4 Moody Moods (03:38) 5 Thula Mntanami (05:05) 6 Generation Rap (03:33) 7 Known Unsung Hero (06:26) 8 I Long to Return (04:56) 9 Serenade Me (03:31) 10 Bambarana (01:29) 11 Choo Choo Train/Shuku Shuku (03:00) 12 Ivory Song (04:40) 13 My People (00:32) 14 Laktushona Ilanga (03:17) |
| Sing Me a Song : Allmusic album Review : An album of relatively satisfactory South African music from Miriam Makeba, the South African diva herself. The album was recorded in South Africa in 1993, and released in the same year. There are potentially other albums of Makebas that showcase more traditional music, and those that showcase more cutting-edge music. This one has a little of both, but not quite enough of either. Overall a decently nice album, but not necessarily anything for someone thats less than a pure Makeba fan. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 29 Title: Live From Paris & Conakry Released: 1996 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:15:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Kilimandjaro (03:38) 2 I Shall Sing (02:46) 3 Kulala (03:46) 4 Malaika (05:15) 5 Jolinkomo (03:29) 6 Measure The Valley (04:24) 7 Ring Bell (03:51) 8 Pata Pata (02:47) 9 Imm Youmm Wemm (05:20) 10 U. Shaka (03:36) 11 Tonados De Media Noche (03:56) 12 Malcolm X (03:21) 13 Tutu Maramba (02:54) 14 I Phin Dlela (04:35) 15 Congas (01:19) 16 Ngoma Kurila ((Esperance) (06:08) 17 Forbidden Games (03:44) 18 Mas Que Nada (04:08) 19 West Wind (Esperance) (03:40) 20 Amampondo (02:46) |
| Live From Paris & Conakry : Allmusic album Review : This compilation of songs performed live by Miriam Makeba, one of the original international divas (with, perhaps, Susana Baca among others), was released roughly two decades after the recording dates. The songs are from two live concerts, one in Paris in 1977 and the other in Conakry in 1970. On the album are both political songs of various sorts ("Malcolm X," "U. Shaka") as well as songs meant more for dance and fun ("Pata Pata" being the most recognizable). Realistically, Makeba may have other albums of a higher recording quality out there, but the inclusion of crowd noises, monologues with the audience, and some acoustic irregularities (inherent in any live recording) make the album seem more worthy as a document of a live performance, giving the listener a feel for what a live concert by the great singer would be like. Any fan of Makebas music should be overjoyed upon hearing this compilation, and those who havent particularly heard of her would find this to be a good starting point. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 29 Title: Hits & Highlights Released: 1997 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:04:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Pata Pata (live) (02:50) 2 Sabelani (04:45) 3 Malaisha (03:37) 4 African Convention (05:08) 5 Click Song (03:35) 6 Meet Me at the River (05:12) 7 Kilimandjaro (live) (02:27) 8 The Lion Cries (04:56) 9 Jolinkomo (live) (03:35) 10 Max Que Nada (live) (03:59) 11 Ring Bell (live) (03:42) 12 Malaika (live) (05:18) 13 A Promise (04:43) 14 Choo Choo Train - Shuku Shuku (03:27) 15 Amampondo (live) (02:46) 16 Sing Me a Song (03:52) |
 | Album: 13 of 29 Title: Homeland Released: 2000-04-25 Tracks: 11 Duration: 45:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Masakhane (04:43) 2 Amaliya (03:14) 3 Pata Pata 2000 (03:50) 4 Cause We Live for Love (04:37) 5 Listen to Your Heart (03:21) 6 Liwa Wechi (03:31) 7 Lindelani (03:16) 8 Homeland (04:07) 9 Umhome (05:10) 10 Africa Is Where My Heart Lies (04:43) 11 In Time (05:00) |
| Homeland : Allmusic album Review : Now back home in South Africa, Makeba hadnt done much recording in the 1990s prior to this release, so Homeland amounts to a way of introducing herself to new audiences and updating older fans. Alas, the voice of the mighty Makeba, who was in her late sixties when this CD was recorded, frequently sounds worn and quavery (these sessions may have been an aberration, for she could still summon much of her spine-chilling power of old at the Hollywood Bowl in summer 2000). But for those who followed her turbulent career through the struggles over apartheid, it will be heartwarming to learn that she has finally found some measure of peace in her life. The English lyrics (others are sung in Zulu) sing about coming home, healing broken hearts, living for love, and children. In the albums most touching gesture, Makebas granddaughter, Zenzi Lee, aimed the lyrics of the title track right at her; the dauntless freedom fighter sounds so glad to be home. As a memory refresher, you also get "Pata Pata 2000," yet another retooled edition of her international hit from 1967, not radically different from previous versions except that Lee lends a hand with the lead vocals. The backing tracks are mostly low-key, controlled, contemporary in feeling; they dont ignite, but they dont get in the South African divas way either. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 29 Title: The Guinea Years Released: 2001 Tracks: 16 Duration: 55:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Teya Teya (03:25) 2 LEnfant et la Gazelle (03:45) 3 Milélé (03:29) 4 Amapondo (02:33) 5 Touré Barika (03:04) 6 Lovely Lies (02:41) 7 Africa (05:44) 8 Maobhe Guinée (02:41) 9 Jeux Interdits (03:35) 10 West Wind Unification (05:26) 11 Oakhla Yunik (02:43) 12 Teya Teya (alt. t.) (03:19) 13 Ojuginira (02:35) 14 Malouyame (03:36) 15 Hadeya Deya (04:08) 16 Sékou Famaké (02:17) |
| The Guinea Years : Allmusic album Review : After ten years of securing her fame in Europe and North America, singer Miriam Makeba returned home to Africa in 1968; sadly, though, Makeba couldnt return to her native South Africa because of her outspoken views on apartheid. So instead she temporarily lived in Guinea and recorded and performed with some of the top local musicians. This excellent 1968 disc reveals the riches with 16 varied tracks, including four live cuts which end the program. While ranging from traditional Guinean cuts ("Milele") to bossa nova ("Le Enfant et la Gazelle"), Makeba further shows her flexibility by incorporating some rock and soul into the Afro-pop mix ("Lovely Lies") and even by offering a fine bit of torch singing à la Shirley Bassey ("Jeux Interdits [Forbidden Games]"). Taking in the raw soukous sound of Franco and his peers and expanding it with her own international touch and incredible voice, Makeba delivers a stunning batch of songs that can be counted as some of her best. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 29 Title: Mama Africa: The Very Best of Miriam Makeba Released: 2001-04-24 Tracks: 25 Duration: 1:15:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tula Ndiville (03:09) 2 Laku Tshone ilanga (02:45) 3 Ntyilo Ntyilo (02:24) 4 Holilili (02:34) 5 Orlando (02:46) 6 Intandane (02:27) 7 Live Humble (02:25) 8 Sindiza Ngecadillacs (02:24) 9 Phansi Kwalohloba (02:33) 10 Hush (02:41) 11 Sophiatown Is Gone (02:44) 12 Phata Phata (02:36) 13 Umqokozo (02:09) 14 Pata pata (03:23) 15 Kilimanjaro (02:48) 16 Thomayi (03:09) 17 Cant Cross Over (03:22) 18 Carnival (02:22) 19 Chicken (Kikirikiki) (04:23) 20 African Convention (05:10) 21 I Shall Sing (03:06) 22 Malaika (05:23) 23 Jolinkomo (02:31) 24 West Wind (02:50) 25 The Click Song (03:36) |
| Mama Africa: The Very Best of Miriam Makeba : Allmusic album Review : Although this compilation is very good, the documentation is vague -- only a few dates are given for the 25 tracks, let alone original label info. Whats for sure is that everything is from the mid-50s to the mid-70s. On many of the earlier cuts in the sequence, you can tell that the recordings almost certainly date from the 1950s and/or early 60s. As Makeba is not the sole singer on some of these, they presumably are drawn from her recordings as a member of groups, possibly all of them being from her stint in the Manhattan Brothers. (Really, its true: more exact liner notes do help reviewers more effectively inform their readers!) Regardless, these earlier tracks are a nice blend of South African folk music with American jazz, pop, and even doo wop-influenced songwriting, arrangements, and harmonies. Makeba sounds at her best, though, on cuts that emphasize the indigenous South African elements, like "Umquokozo" and "Pata Pata"; the propulsive "Kilimanjaro" is the best thing on the disc, really giving her a chance to hang loose and uninhibited. A few of the final songs on the CD, presumably dating from the 1970s, are not as exciting due to the slicker, more funkified production, though Makeba still sings well on those. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 29 Title: The Definitive Collection Released: 2002 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:15:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Back of the Moon (03:00) 2 Kilimanjaro (02:58) 3 Quickly in Love (02:40) 4 Pata Pata (Touch Touch) (03:54) 5 Click Song (Quongqothwane) (02:33) 6 Nomalungelo (02:25) 7 Live Humble (02:25) 8 Kutheni Sithandwa (02:36) 9 Umbhaqanga (02:37) 10 Table Mountain (02:24) 11 Orlando (02:46) 12 Sophiatown Is Gone (02:44) 13 Hush (02:43) 14 Uile Ngoana Batho (Our Child Is Gone) (02:20) 15 Laku Tshone ilanga (02:45) 16 Tula Ndiville (03:09) 17 Baxabene Oxamu (02:16) 18 Dont Break My Heart (04:35) 19 Thulasizwe / I Shall Be Released (03:47) 20 African Sunset (05:48) 21 Welela (04:18) 22 Ha Po Zamani (02:59) 23 Congo (02:48) 24 Saduva (04:43) |
 | Album: 17 of 29 Title: An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba Released: 2002-07-01 Tracks: 12 Duration: 33:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Train Song (Mbombela) (03:08) 2 In the Land of the Zulus (KwaZulu) (02:30) 3 Hush, Hush (Thula, thula) (03:03) 4 To Those We Love (Nongqongqo) (02:15) 5 Give Us Our Land (Mabayeke) (02:27) 6 Beware, Verwoerd! (Ndodemnyama) (02:05) 7 Gone Are My Children (Baile banake) (02:47) 8 Hurry, Mama, Hurry! (Khawuleza) (03:25) 9 My Angel (Malaika) (03:12) 10 Cannon (Mbayi, mbayi) (02:47) 11 Lullaby (Thula sthandwa same) (02:46) 12 Show Me the Way, My Brother (Iphindlela) (03:10) |
| An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba : Allmusic album Review : Since Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba had appeared together in concert frequently in the early 60s, customers spying an LP called An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba might reasonably have assumed that the record would contain a joint live performance by the two, and that might help explain why this album charted in the Top 100 despite its challenging material. To begin with, it is not a live album, but rather a studio recording. And it isnt so much a duo album, for the most part, as a joint album; Belafonte and Makeba perform together on only two tracks, "Train Song" and "Cannon." Otherwise, they split up the selections, each appearing on five. The real point of this album is to present a group of South African songs in more or less authentic fashion. They are sung mostly in either Xhosa or Zulu, with one song in Sotho and another in Swahili. Despite the English song titles (with the original titles following in parenthesis), there is only one moment on the album when the English language is spoken; that is when Makeba explains the meaning of "Khawuleza" (the Xhosa title of "Hurry, Mama, Hurry!") as referring to situations in which children alert their mothers that the authorities are coming. Both Belafonte and Makeba are frequently accompanied by a choir for some wonderful effects. This is a powerful album of traditional South African music, and anyone buying it realizing that will be well satisfied. Just dont think the disc is what it appears to be from the title. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 29 Title: The Best of the Early Years Released: 2003-01-27 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:07:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Teya Teya (03:27) 2 Live Humble (02:25) 3 Orlando (02:47) 4 Make Us One (02:34) 5 Back of the Moon (03:01) 6 Quickly in Love (02:41) 7 Sophiatown Is Gone (02:44) 8 Holilili (02:36) 9 Ndamcenga (02:31) 10 Nomalungelo (02:26) 11 Kutheni Sithandwa (02:37) 12 Umbhaqanga (02:38) 13 Baby Ntsoare (03:04) 14 Tula Ndiville (03:10) 15 Table Mountain (02:25) 16 Pula Kgosi Seretse (02:56) 17 Ntyilo Ntyilo (02:25) 18 Miriams Goodbye to Africa (02:47) 19 Jeux Interdits (Forbidden Games) (03:36) 20 Milélé (03:32) 21 Hush (02:42) 22 Laku Tshone Ilanga (02:46) 23 Darlie Kea Lemang (02:51) 24 Pata Pata (03:04) |
| The Best of the Early Years : Allmusic album Review : An album of works from the earlier years of Miriam Makebas long career. Featured are the years with the Skylarks and the Manhattan Brothers, as well as a few bits from her time in Guinea (after being exiled from South Africa). The presentation is anything but chronological, jumping from the Guinea Quintet to the Skylarks to the later run with the Manhattan Brothers and back again. The vocal work is always worth hearing, with the four- to five-part harmonies of the Skylarks showing an ever changing sound as the members changed from year to year (or sooner). There is a distinct showcasing of American jazz motifs in the instrumental arrangements throughout the pieces with the Manhattan Brothers, both from the earlier stint, and from her time in the play King Kong (about the South African boxer, not the giant gorilla). In combination with the labelmate Definitive Collection album, this album provides an outstanding, if not orderly, overview of the long and varied career of the songstress. Everything from her debut with the Manhattan Brothers, "Laku Tshone Ilanga," to her biggest international hit, "Pata Pata," is represented here, and her solo work is continued in the complementary album. For the newcomer, the combination is suggested. For those already acquainted with Makebas work, this album would likely make a worthwhile addition to the collection as the representative of all of the numerous albums made behind the curtain of apartheid and only heard in bits and pieces in the West. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 29 Title: Reflections Released: 2004-08-09 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:00:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Iyaguduza (06:23) 2 I Shall Sing (07:09) 3 African Convention (05:02) 4 Quit It (05:29) 5 Pata Pata (03:23) 6 Click Song (04:53) 7 Where Are You Going (04:00) 8 Ring Bell (03:15) 9 Mas Que Nada (03:17) 10 Xica da Silva (06:11) 11 Love Tastes Like Strawberries (05:04) 12 Im In Love With Spring (03:27) 13 Comme Une Symphonie Damour (03:15) |
| Reflections : Allmusic album Review : Miriam Makeba is an icon of South African music, beyond dispute. Its a status shes earned over the years, and it gives her the luxury to release a smooth album like this, where she can show a great deal of her range. There are new versions of two of her most famous pieces, "Pata Pata" and "The Click Song," updated to fit in with her new musical outlook (although it has to be admitted that the originals were much better). There are also a couple of Brazilian pieces, which wok wonderfully well for the relaxed quality of her voice, especially on "Xica da Silva," while a French ballad, "Comme une Symphonie dAmour," unfortunately turns to the incredibly syrupy. She fares much better on a song like "Love Tastes Like Strawberries," with its delicious airiness and strong lyrics, where she can really shine, and on the bluesy "Quit It," which offers another, grittier side of her talent. A couple of the tracks come from the pen of her ex-husband, Hugh Masekela, admittedly not the strongest work on the record. She can still sing gloriously, and there are some cuts here that show that. Sadly, too much of it feels like coasting, but shes entitled to that. Hopefully next time out shell challenge herself a little more. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 29 Title: Le Monde de Myriam Makeba Released: 2006 Tracks: 12 Duration: 30:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Kilimanjaro (02:50) 2 Zenizenabo (01:23) 3 Ntjilo Ntjilo (02:29) 4 Umqokozo (02:09) 5 Ngola Kurila (03:08) 6 Thanayi (03:09) 7 Liwa Wechi (02:50) 8 Nagula (01:39) 9 Carnival (02:22) 10 Night Must Fall (01:57) 11 Love Tastes Like Strawberries (03:27) 12 Cant Cross Over (03:20) |
 | Album: 21 of 29 Title: Her Essential Recordings: The Empress of African Song Released: 2006-02-06 Tracks: 40 Duration: 1:59:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 In the Land of the Zulus (Kwazulu) (02:36) 2 Pata Pata (03:01) 3 Kutheni Sithandwa (02:36) 4 Makoti (02:34) 5 Kilimanjaro (02:49) 6 Thanayi (A.K.A. Nomalungelo) (03:09) 7 Inkomo Zodwa (02:25) 8 Hush (02:41) 9 Teya Teya (03:27) 10 Jolinkomo (03:21) 11 Miriam & Spokes Phata Phata (02:36) 12 Uthando Luyaphela (02:28) 13 Live Humble (02:25) 14 Baby Ntsoare (03:04) 15 Liwa Wechi (02:51) 16 Zenizenabo (01:23) 17 Mas Que Nada (03:17) 18 Uyadela (02:28) 19 Mbube (The Lion Cries) (04:58) 20 My Angel (Malaika) (03:17) 1 Click Song No. 1 (02:21) 2 Amampondo (02:35) 3 Chicken (Kikirikiki) (A.K.A.Sekusile) (04:26) 4 Carnival (02:22) 5 Umqokozo (02:09) 6 Sophiatown Is Gone (02:44) 7 Intandane (02:29) 8 Orlando (02:46) 9 Love Tastes Like Strawberries (03:25) 10 Ngola Kurila (03:10) 11 Ntyilo Ntyilo (02:31) 12 Isangoma (Witch Doctor) (04:01) 13 Mitshakasi (02:15) 14 Tula Ndiville (03:09) 15 Samba (05:05) 16 Mama Ndiyalila (03:29) 17 Talking & Dialoging (05:37) 18 Holilili (02:36) 19 Miriams Goodbye to Africa (02:47) 20 Nagula (01:39) |
| Her Essential Recordings: The Empress of African Song : Allmusic album Review : The packaging on this 40-song, two-CD anthology of this major South African artist -- most of it taken from recordings spanning the mid-50s to late 60s, though there are a few from the 1970s too -- leaves something to be desired. The tracks are sequenced so that they jump back and forth chronologically, and while there are well-written liner notes of decent length, the song listings themselves do not spell out the dates and sources for each recording. That makes it necessary to cumbersomely shift back and forth between the notes and listings to figure out what part of Miriam Makebas careers being represented by whats coming through the speakers. Whether or not youre one to get bugged by such details, however, theres no denying that this set does contain a lot of good music, even if its sampling is rather scattershot. Her most famous recording, her 1967 hit version of "Pata Pata," is here, but some tracks go all the way back to mid-50s South African recordings with the Manhattan Brothers. Again, chronological sequencing would have really helped, but taken all together, you do get a sense of the considerable ground she covered in the 1950s and 1960s, from somewhat dated (but charmingly hokey) jazz-pop backings to earthy rhythmic recordings that drew considerably more from indigenous South African styles. There are also hints of Latin music, torch jazz songs, duets with Harry Belafonte, gospel, and even a bit of rock & roll. The constants, however, are Makebas reliably mellifluous, spirited vocals, as well as (with only a few exceptions) a fine eye for integrating South African folk and popular styles with some Western pop sensibilities. It might not be the most coherently assembled Makeba compilation, but youd have a hard time beating it for the amount of diverse quality music it stuffs into two discs. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 29 Title: The Legend Released: 2008 Tracks: 14 Duration: 59:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Malaika (05:30) 2 Masakhane (04:43) 3 Live the Future (05:25) 4 Chove Chuva (03:06) 5 Pata Pata 2000 (03:50) 6 Mas que Nada (03:15) 7 A luta continua (04:48) 8 Bambarana (04:54) 9 Pata Pata (03:22) 10 Click Song (02:10) 11 Xica de Silva (05:13) 12 Amampondo (05:47) 13 Jolinkomo (03:32) 14 You Are in Love (03:28) |
 | Album: 23 of 29 Title: Mama Afrika 1932-2008 Released: 2009-10-05 Tracks: 38 Duration: 1:22:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Quit It (04:03) 2 Meet Me at the River (05:12) 3 Hapo Zamani (04:28) 4 Choo Choo Train (03:32) 5 Malaika (My Angel) (05:32) 6 West Wind (03:40) 7 We Got to Make It (The Question) (04:12) 8 Malaisha (Bring the Axe) (03:38) 9 Welela (04:19) 10 Remember Sophiatown (With the Skylarks) (02:44) 11 Mbube (The Lion Cries) (04:58) 12 Iyaguduza (05:28) 13 Soweto Blues (04:18) 14 Ndibanga Hamba (05:49) 15 La Guinee Guinee (03:11) 16 Emabhaceni (02:42) 17 A Promise (04:28) 18 Liwawetchi (03:34) 19 Umoya (03:04) 1 Inhlupheko Iphelile (Goodbye Poverty) (?) 2 Thulasizwe - I shall be released - (Feat. Nina Simone) (03:48) 3 African Sunset (?) 4 Mas Que Nada (?) 5 Xica Da Silver (?) 6 Samba (?) 7 Pata Pata (?) 8 Kikirikiki (Chicken) (?) 9 Kilimanjaro (?) 10 Ibhabhalazi (?) 11 Amampondo (?) 12 Mama (feat. Sipho Hotstix Mabuse) (?) 13 The Click Song (?) 14 Hauteng (?) 15 Lindelani (?) 16 Back Of The Moon (?) 17 Mama Ndiyalila (?) 18 Miriam and Spokes Phatha Phatha (With the Skylarks) (?) 19 Ntyilo Ntylio (With the Manhattan Brothers) (?) |
 | Album: 24 of 29 Title: South Africas Skylark Released: 2010 Tracks: 45 Duration: 2:28:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 The Click Song (02:33) 2 Pata Pata (03:02) 3 Sophiatown Is Gone (02:42) 4 Inkomo Zodwa (02:24) 5 Orlando (02:45) 6 The Naughty Little Flea (04:15) 7 Back of the Moon (03:00) 8 Umbhaqanga (02:36) 9 Table Mountain (02:22) 10 Holilili (02:33) 11 Ntyilo Ntyilo (02:29) 12 Baby Ntsoare (03:02) 13 Live Humble (02:24) 14 Miriam and Spokes Phata Phata (02:35) 15 Kutheni Sithandwa (02:35) 16 Tula Ndivile (03:09) 17 Hush (02:40) 18 In the Land of the Zulus (Kwazulu) (02:34) 19 Amampondo (02:33) 20 Kilimanjaro (02:47) 21 Teya Teya (03:25) 22 Thanayi (03:08) 23 LEnfant El La Gazelle (03:45) 24 Dakhla Yunik (02:43) 25 Liwaechi (03:33) 1 Goodbye Poverty (05:28) 2 Quit It (03:59) 3 For What Its Worth (03:07) 4 Lumumba (02:49) 5 Magwala Ndini (02:34) 6 Kulala (02:37) 7 Samba (05:04) 8 Mas que Nada (03:16) 9 Umquokozo (03:19) 10 Down on the Corner (02:32) 11 Murtala (05:36) 12 Moolouyame (04:02) 13 Umoya (03:05) 14 Talking and Dialoging (05:35) 15 Malcom X (03:13) 16 U Shaka (03:40) 17 Soweto Blues (04:16) 18 Isangoma (Witch Doctor) (03:59) 19 Meet Me at the River (05:10) 20 Ask the Rising Sun (03:10) |
 | Album: 25 of 29 Title: Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) Released: 2011 Tracks: 5 Duration: 16:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (radio version) (02:51) 2 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (video version) (02:51) 3 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (alternative radio version) (02:36) 4 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (alternative video version) (02:36) 5 Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata) (alternative extended mix) (05:20) |
 | Album: 26 of 29 Title: Miriam Makeba Mama Africa Released: 2013 Tracks: 56 Duration: 2:25:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 The Click Song (live) (03:06) 2 One More Dance (live) (03:04) 3 The Retreat Song (02:35) 4 Suliram (02:46) 5 The Click Song (02:16) 6 Umhome (01:22) 7 Olilili (02:35) 8 Lakutshn, Ilanga (02:11) 9 Mbube (03:20) 10 The Naughty Little Flea (03:49) 11 Where Does It Lead? (02:33) 12 Nomeva (02:40) 13 House of the Rising Sun (02:00) 14 Saduva (02:31) 15 One More Dance (02:43) 16 Iya Guduza (02:14) 17 Kilimanjaro (02:48) 18 Zenizenabo (01:23) 19 Ntjilo Ntjilo (02:30) 20 Umqukozo (02:09) 21 Ngola Kurila (03:09) 22 Thanayi (03:09) 23 Liwa Wechi (02:50) 24 Nagula (01:39) 25 Carnival (A Day in the Life of a Fool) (02:24) 26 Night Must Fall (01:58) 27 Love Tastes Like Strawberries (03:26) 28 Cant Cross Over (03:20) 1 Baby Ntsoare (03:00) 2 Orlando (02:45) 3 Holilili (02:34) 4 Owakho (02:39) 5 Kutheni Sithandwa (02:35) 6 Umbhaquanga (02:36) 7 Vula Amasango (02:45) 8 Uthando Luyaphela (02:26) 9 Table Mountain (02:22) 10 Phansi Kwalomhlaba (02:31) 11 Nomalungelo (02:24) 12 Hush (02:40) 13 Sindiza Ngecadillacs (02:23) 14 Ndimbone Dluca (02:25) 15 Unyana Wolahleko (02:30) 16 Ekoneni (02:21) 17 Themba Lami (02:39) 18 Makoti (02:32) 19 Sophiatown Is Gone (02:42) 20 Make Us One (02:32) 21 Uyadela (02:26) 22 Ndidliwe Zintabe (02:31) 23 Miriam & Spokes Phata Phata (02:33) 24 Siyavuya (02:38) 25 Uile Ngwana Batho (02:30) 26 Rockin in Rhythm (02:51) 27 Quickly in Love (02:40) 28 Back of the Moon (02:57) |
 | Album: 27 of 29 Title: The Sound of Africa Released: 2013-05-01 Tracks: 60 Duration: 2:33:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 The Click Song (02:32) 2 Umbhaqanga (02:36) 3 Liwa Wechi (02:49) 4 Uthando Luyaphela (02:25) 5 Mbube (03:20) 6 Nagula (Witch Doctor Song) (01:39) 7 Intandane (02:26) 8 Love Tastes Like Strawberries (03:24) 9 Owakho (02:38) 10 Zenizenabo (01:22) 11 Olilili (02:35) 12 Ndidiwe Zintaba (02:32) 13 Umqokozo (02:08) 14 Nomalungelo (02:24) 15 Uile Ngoana Batho (02:31) 16 Phansi Kwalomhlaba (02:32) 17 Make Us One (02:33) 18 Ndamcenga (02:25) 19 Where Does It Lead? (02:32) 20 Sophiatown Is Gone (02:42) 1 Phata Phata (02:35) 2 Mtshakasi (02:13) 3 Themba Lami (02:39) 4 Kilimanjaro (02:48) 5 Live Humble (02:24) 6 Makoti (02:32) 7 Ekoneni (02:20) 8 Saduva (02:30) 9 Ndimbone Dluca (02:25) 10 Nomeva (02:40) 11 House of the Rising Sun (01:59) 12 Siyavuya (02:38) 13 Ngola Kurila (03:08) 14 The Retreat Song (02:33) 15 Hush (02:41) 16 Baby Ntsoare (03:02) 17 One More Dance (02:41) 18 Orlando (02:45) 19 Unyana Wolahleko (02:30) 20 Umhome (01:19) 1 Table Mountain (02:24) 2 Thanayi (03:07) 3 Ndiya Nxila Apha E-Bhayi (02:29) 4 Uyadela (02:26) 5 Carnival (02:22) 6 Night Must Fall (01:58) 7 Suliram (02:46) 8 Sindiza Ngecadillacs (02:23) 9 Baya Ndi Memeza (02:26) 10 Iyaguduza (02:07) 11 Cant Cross Over (03:21) 12 Rockin in Rhythm (02:51) 13 The Naughty Little Flea (03:48) 14 Lakutshn, Ilanga (02:09) 15 Inkoma Zodwa (02:24) 16 Ntjilo Ntjilo (02:29) 17 Kutheni Sithandwa (02:36) 18 Vula Amasango (02:44) 19 Yini Madoda (02:34) 20 Miriams Goodbye to Africa (02:54) |
 | Album: 28 of 29 Title: The Voice of Africa Released: 2015 Tracks: 25 Duration: 1:07:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mbube (Wimoweh Song) (03:20) 2 The Click Song (live) (02:47) 3 House of the Rising Sun (02:03) 4 Pata Pata (03:07) 5 Live Humble (02:23) 6 Cant Cross over (03:19) 7 Miriam & Spokes Phata Phata (02:33) 8 Jeux interdits (Forbidden Games) (03:34) 9 One More Dance (live) (03:06) 10 The Retreat Song (02:34) 11 Suliram (02:48) 12 Carnival (A Day in the Life of a Fool) (02:21) 13 Night Must Fall (01:58) 14 Love Tastes Like Strawberries (03:24) 15 Umhome (01:19) 16 Olilili (02:35) 17 Lakutshn, Ilanga (02:09) 18 The Naughty Little Flea (03:48) 19 Where Does It Lead? (02:32) 20 Nomeva (02:40) 21 Saduva (02:29) 22 Iya Guduza (02:13) 23 Kilimanjaro (02:47) 24 One More Dance (02:42) 25 The Click Song (02:31) |
 | Album: 29 of 29 Title: Makeba Sings! Released: 2015-06-26 Tracks: 12 Duration: 35:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Cameroon (02:49) 2 Woza (02:56) 3 Little Bird (03:32) 4 Chove-Chuva (02:32) 5 Same Moon (02:40) 6 Kilimanjaro (03:04) 7 Khawuyani-Khanyange (03:18) 8 Wind Song (02:41) 9 Khuluma (02:41) 10 Lets Pretend (02:43) 11 Beau Chevalier (02:13) 12 Maduna (03:48) |