Africa

Performer: Miriam Makeba
Engineer: Joe Lopes; Jay Newland
Producer: John Snyder
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Contains material originally released prior to 1972. One doesn't necessarily have to either understand Miriam Makeba's native tongue or speak French to comprehend the depth and scope of her musical approach. Born in Johannesburg, of Zulu origin, Makeba has been affectionately termed "Mama Africa" by millions of fans worldwide, an appellation that is well deserved. Featuring material recorded in her early days, the 1960s, AFRICA stands as testament to Makeba's brilliance as a songwriter and song interpreter. On AFRICA, she's teamed up with her famous ex-husband, Hugh Masekela, who arranges and co-writes such wonderful tunes as "Qhude," and "Maduna" among others. Delivering a message of hope, Makeba's singing is a true triumph of liberty, spirit, and resilience. The most moving tune on this compilation is probably "Khawuleza" which means "Hurry, mama, hurry," which revolves around the brutalities of apartheid and black South Africa's attempts to overcome it.

Well-known for her political views and fearless outspokenness against apartheid, as well as a high-profile marriage to Black Panther Stokeley Carmichael in the 1960s, Miriam Makeba has been both punished and praised for her passions. But her shining accomplishments have been more musical than political. Makeba was the first South African musician to achieve worldwide popularity. She spent much of her long career singing of the power and struggle of humanity, in a voice that can express a huge range of emotions with intensity and sincerity. She even scored a top 40 hit in 1967 with the choral "Pata Pata."

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