- Audio Cassette (25 April 2000)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Putumayo World Music
- ASIN: B00004SBZ1
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Masakhane |
| 2. Amaliya |
| 3. Pata Pata 2000 |
| 4. 'Cause We Live For Love |
| 5. Liwawechi |
| 6. Lindelani |
| 7. Homeland |
| 8. Umhome |
| 9. Africa Is Where My Heart Lies |
| 10. In Time |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Makeba started her career in the 1950s, first with the Manhattan Brothers, then the all-female Skylarks. In the early 60s, she became an exile, directly as a result of her uncompromising stance against Apartheid. She worked in the US with Harry Belafonte, before being harried on to Guinea by the authorities (she had just married Black Panther leader Stokeley Carmichael). Makeba's "Pata Pata" single was a US chart hit in 1967. It's reprised here as a duet with Zenzi Lee, pleasantly licked by mellow guitars but suffering from a metronomic beat. Much of this album has been penned by guitarist Lokua Kanza, his drum programming particularly unsubtle on the title track. Masakhane makes a good opener, with its constrained electric fuzz guitar, slicing horns and exuberant backing singers (the Crew of Six). Makeba's delivery on Amaliya is far too formal, while tracks like "Cause We Live For Love" and "Africa Is Where My Heart Lies" are smothered by synths and phoney drums, the former's already trite lyrics also suffering a cutsey gospel blanketing by the Chaneng Primary School Choir. A welcome contrast arrives with the ritual heaviness of Liwawechi, stripped down to just voices and drums. -- Martin Longley
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Makeba has a lovely voice, but what lets this down is the very Westernised backings, and the extremely amateurish drum machine programming
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
this album is a very good one wich provides nice songs especially "Liwa wechi" "Lindelani" "homeland" . The voice of Makeba is deep like indian ocean and brillant like a diamond. A great singer and a living legend ! Maxime Paris France
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
10 reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Not for Makeba Neophytes
6 May 2000
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This new album is not for Makeba neophytes, but instead for those of us who are long-time fans of this brilliant musician. The difficult rhythms and lyrics and her aging voice led me to wax nostalgic for the Xhosa folk music of earlier cd's and albums. Nevertheless, there is great music here. I was especially moved by the children's choir on two of the songs, and the tender songs of love. The updated version of Patapata was disapointing; not as bouncy and vivacious as the original. If you would like to hear the absolute best that Africa has ever produced, listen to Makeba, but begin with something like Welela.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Full of Pleasure
13 Jun 2000
Format:Audio CD
I bought this CD having read a fantastic review of it in Time magazine. It was a very good decision. Ms. Mekeba is a jem. African music comes full circle by way of Ms. Mekeba's splendid voice. I encourage you to embrace this brilliant and profound collection of songs.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Great album from the "Billy Holiday" of African music
7 May 2001
Format:Audio CD
For those who don't know much of African music or Africa - let Queen Miriam be your storyteller.
For a woman who recently sang a duet with her own great-grandchild, it says a lot for her to still be producing quality material such as this
This is a good album and the funky Pata Pata 2000 gives it a contemporary feel, yet never do you feel to the detriment of Makeba's reputation. The album is clearly targetting the non-African markets as a suprising number of songs are in English and some have an R&B feel to them: it is thus not a typical Makeba album. "Pata Pata" and "Welela" are perhaps better buys if you are looking for something more ethnic.
Her vocal cords may not have the range as they did 40 years ago, but her voice has grown stronger and more intense over time. Have a listen to the original Pata Pata or songs from her Skylarks' days and you'll hear the contrast.
Conclusion: It is definitely worth a listen before you know whether or not it's your kind of album.
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