Miriam Makeba

Really pleasant surprise as I don't normally listen to anything like this. Loved her voice and the blues influences in here. Super cool to hear 'Mbube' and to get some context for 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' (even though Miriam's version is a cover)

If I had to put together a short list of the musicians who had the most influence on my taste in music, she would be in the top 5.  I didn't  fall in love with African music until I bought  Miriam Makeba's Welea album, Frustrated with most of the music I was being fed by radio, I was sifting through the "Music I Never Heard Of" section in the local record store and randomly picked this since she looked like a warm and interesting woman who I hoped would play music that would be more interesting than FM. Her music was peaceful and optimistic which in itself is quite remarkable given her life.  I would play that album before going to work when I knew I had stressful meetings.  I later found the Click song, among others, and learned  that she played with Harry Belefonte, played at the concert festival held in conjunction with the Rumble in the Jungle, and backed up Paul Simon on his Graceland tour. There are many lovely songs on the 1001 offering. The Click Song is charming and her story about the name is  cute. Saduva is one of my favourite songs. She had a longer (and better) version with excellent instrumentation on her Welea album. Lakutshon and One More Dance, both innocuous musically,  demonstrate how beautiful her voice is. At the end of the day I like Welea more than the 1001 offering but this is her first album and  her role in bringing South African and other African music to western audiences is second to none. Yeah Paul Simon played a big role and touched more people in North America and Europe but he likely was influenced by her.  

Good lord, we need more albums like this! Never heard of Miriam but she absolutely killed her debut. A mix of some fantastic native African songs and some more modern songs, including covers like "House of the Rising Sun." "Mbube" blew me away because it's essentially an original, proto-version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" that feels 100x more authentic and lively. She's got a hell of a voice too, on some of the slower tunes like House of the Rising Sun, I was reminded of the power that someone like Nina Simone has in her voice. Lots of great call and response all over this too, which I always enjoy. The way Charles Coleman was laughing on "One More Dance" was a little bit much and distracting at first, but I couldn't help but love that song by the end too. I can't imagine hearing this album in 1960 and not being completely gobsmacked, considering I'm impressed more than 60 years later. Screw it, five stars. Good luck beating this next week. Favorite tracks: Mbube, Retreat Song, Click Song, Lakutshn Ilanga, Naughty Little Flea, Where Does It Lead, House of the Rising Sun, One More Dance, Iya Guduza. Album art: Just a portrait type shot of Miriam, but it's got that warmth and texture that lots of albums from the '50s and early '60s had, which I can't get enough of. It's the type of album that I'd buy at Goodwill with 100% certainty. 5/5

What a delicious album this is, the talent, the music, the resistance. Her generation brought down apartheid on South Africa, from pariah to hero. She spoke she sung, hope more of her records are on the list.

Wonderful energy, great singing and a wonderful person behind it all.

Que música incrível! Me fez aprender muito mais sobre a história dela, descobri q o Sivuca trabalhou com ela na decada de 60 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3znK08BoKfU). Me fez ver um outro contexto da revolução musical dos anos 60

This was boring to the point of being irritating. Sounds very much of it’s time. The track with the guy laughing all the way through was horrible. This is a generous 2*!

I first learned about Miriam Makeba some years ago when I was researching South African music for a school project, and I immediately became a fan. "Pata Pata" has been in my playlists ever since. This was a wonderful album and I loved listening to this amazing voice so much. What an interesting collection of songs! I love when this project brings us to artists I haven't known so well, but really appreciate, such as this. Love Love Love.

I very much enjoyed this album. Some moments I felt like I may be in church and others at a party. I appreciate the exposure to an artist that I would otherwise likely never have listened to.

Great voice, enjoyed this album until “The naughty little flea” and “One more dance” which were utterly terrible.

so where the fuck did the naughty little flea go? This is another album on the Nandos playlist.

Beautiful voice but otherwise, not my thing. Felt like I was listening to a 1940s movie musical. Again, talented and voice is great. Just not for me. 1 - 2 range

I listen to a few tracks and it’s interesting music but I don’t know that I will revisit this.

Wow. This why we do it.

I do tend to get a lot of enjoyment out of music in other languages. I think that when I can’t understand what the lyrics are saying, I can enjoy the voice more as an instrument rather than a means of conveying a message. I quick google tells me that Miriam Makeba sang in Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho. I’m not sure which of those the songs on this album (or any combination of them), but I’m excited to listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Mbube, The Naughty Little Flea, One More Dance This was a very enjoyable album. There are a few songs sang in English as well as African dialects, and the variation is very enjoyable. Miriam’s soft voice is a pleasure throughout, whether I can understand the lyrics or not. The styling of the music sometimes sounds somewhat similar to samba which I wasn’t expecting. Mbube (a version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight) was fantastic and even more enjoyable than the Tight Fit version which I do also like. Overall, a very enjoyable album which I’d recommend to anybody with an interest in music from around the world.

Where was Miriam Makeba all my life? What a delightful album - funny, haunting, bold, beautiful - I’m totally in love. So far the best new discovery for me from this list.

Primeira vez escutando musica tão diferente de meu gosto musical, de primeira já curti, me lmbrou de minha infancia assistindo rei leão e kiriku. Ai ela é muito calminha, amei essa mulher! Ela ta morta :o wtf. triste. Amei a musica, salvei o album, escutarei mais vezes com certeza!

african outdated but not ugly

This felt like bing at Church. Not a good place to be. The Naughty Little Flea got right on my tits.

Really enjoyable listen. No substantive notes other than "I really liked it"

What a treat. Love Suliram and Lakutshon' Ilanga in particular; love the electric guitar on the latter and Where Does it Lead. Love the words of The Naughty Little Flea. Obsessed with Charles Colman cackling all over One More Dance. Hilarious song. Gorgeous soothing album overall (though I was absolutely jumpscared by the end of Nomeva and Saduva)

Mama Africa!!!

From “Mbube” to the end I was hooked on the beauty of Makeba’s voice and the humor or seriousness of each song. Simply mesmerizing.

Loved it so much. Would listen again.

This album was just simply wonderful. I love Miriam's voice. This, again, isn't the type of music I normally seek out, but just had a blast listening to it while cooking.

Great album!

Beautiful voice, great vibe music for the house

Wow, what an awesome experience

This is one is enjoyable from the beginning. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but can’t wait to find a copy for the collection.

Really good stuff, really enjoyed it. Can't believe I'm giving 5 stars to a jazz album. Will definitely listen to again.

Awesome South African music, such a good singer and the songs are beautiful

9.3/10. Fun, amazing voice, legendary.

I think this other commenter summed it up well; "I have the zeal of a convert." She's got such a beautiful voice. Most of these songs are so much fucking fun. It just makes me want to get up, see Africa, and dance. Points off for "One More Dance" which was...too weird. Come on Miriam, enough with the old laughing homewrecker

Great songs and a brilliant voice!

really cool album. miriam makeba's voice is incredible and this is such a nice and sweet version of african music that has been made for a western audience. this is the exact sort of stuff that i wish there was more of on this list. the only thing on here that i think spoils the album a little bit is the track 'one more dance' which sounds like she is duetting with ed wynn's character from mary poppins. but otherwise, this is pretty stellar!

What a beautiful album. I hadn't heard of Miriam Makeba before -- and haven't really listened to much South African music otherwise -- so I am very grateful to have been exposed to this. Her voice is beautiful and the restrained instrumentation is a lovely accompaniment. "Suliram", "Lakutshn, Ilanga", "Where Does it Lead?" and "One More Dance" I especially liked, but this whole album I enjoyed thoroughly. I did some reading about Miriam and what an interesting woman and an interesting life. She was a protege of Harry Belafonte and married to Stokely Carmichael and Hugh Masekela?? Wow. I will definitely be checking out more of her music! 10/10. Excellent pull.

This album was so nice I listened to it twice... I actually really loved this! A high enough 4½ to be 5 on the app. 50s/60s world folk is kinda an untapped corner of my musical taste. My parents were very much into some of the more commercial side of 50s/60s folk. Some of the artists they'd listen would incorporate African and world folk styles music. I'm my college years I kinda poked around, but I've never really done a dive in to that rabbit hole, but I know it's there. (9.77) ★★★★½

I really like African music, it just transport me in my mind to another time/place and life. I really enjoy most of these songs, especially the ones in Xhosa. 4.5 stars

Great African music. Feels like this would have been successful during that phase of kitschy tiki bar, pacific island music phase of the 1960s. Plus it has the a prototype of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” that goes hard!

I think what I was looking for when starting this project was a bit naive, given that it’s not called 1001 Albums You Probably Haven’t Heard but Definitely Should. This album would be on that list. This I gorgeous. Not something I was likely to discover independently. A very pleasant listen.

5/5

just as much as yes was horrible music for the godawful mood i was in yesterday night miriam makeba is the perfect music for the elysian bliss i feel this evening after fucking cooking all day at work. i wouldnt say i know jazz at all but i did grow up listening to ella fitzgerald on miserably cold snowy evenings such as i find around myself again this evening + miriam makeba feels like i ran into a cool older friend for the 1st time in a while (ella fitzgerald) who had an equally cool friend of abt the same age w her (miriam makeba) with whom i immediately hit it off in the same way ^w^ she has that rare combo beautifully characterful emotionally expressive vocal quality x unimpeachable technique + control how many ppl can say that? suliram is so cozy n lovely. man its cool how african diaspora music <--> music from africa, some of this isnt familiar (+ is very cool!) but some rlly is like (pointing) oh like in jazz. not sure how much is independently developed vs how much is in conversation w each other but its nice. LINGUISTICS FACT: did u kno click consonants are only* found as an areal feature in southern/eastern africa? (* iirc theyre attested in 1 australian lang but said lang is actually a ritual/ceremonial register of the everyday lang of that community which doesnt have clicks so thats kinda different). i rmember my chorus teacher in hs made us learn some clicks for 1 song + she was very serious [gun pointing meme] make an effort...ive forgotten how tho. god she has such a nice voice. the transition btwn umhome --> olilili is very smooth kinda like theyre 1 thing, i like it. also ofc shes the star but good gravy her backup chorus are pros every one of em. love the tone + the harmonies. seriously bro lakutshn, ilanga sounds like a jazz standard. like uncannily. im not sure why this is. its very somewhere over the rainbow (positive). rlly wish i could understand the lyrics......what is it about....aww yeah mbube from music league!! liking that is why i was like okay i dont need to go spotify private sesh for this album of the day + that was 100% the right call, miriam makeba heal my spotify algorithm pls. god the backing chorus is so good in this too...the boss needs her adds the pope needs her cardinals the moon needs a shitload of stars. ghhhhhhh where does it lead is so [cateyes emoji] [kicking my feet] this is 1 of my favorite Song Moods. god her voice is SO good. this is a delight finally some good fucking food. the final verse of where does it lead gives me goosebumps. aaaaa clapclapclap. and then novema is u were up before dawn Thinking (where does it lead) --> sun rises as u decide 2 b optimistic (novema). OH MY GOD AND NOW SHES DOING HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN??? stoooopp you cant keep getting away with it. oh i love how charles coleman cant stop giggling as they sing that is so cute. he cant even finish the lines. hes like cracking up like he really is on something!! this is next level im dying.(CAN BARELY SAY IT) Y..OUR HUSBAND IS (WHEEZE) DEAD. TEE HEE!! oh the lower range in iya guduzu is such a nice lovely sendoff. despite this being a shorter album it took me extra long to get thru bc i kept listening to songs again and again. if there was even 1 flaw to this album it is that the human brain cant instantly understand lyrics in any language it hears, which is a tragedy of nature + no fault of miriam makeba &co. if i listen to only dumb ass idiot albums from here on out on this site it will be still kinda worth it for introducing me to miriam makeba. superb. sublime. 5/5 stars. standout tracks: suliram, lakuthshn ilanga, mbube, where does it lead, nomeva, one more dance, look i just listed half the fucking album. i would buy a physical copy of this record even if it somehow did not look cool which i know is guranteed false. EVERYONE CHEER + CLAP FOR MIRIAM MAKEBA OR I BLOW THE WHOLE BUILDING UP!!!!!

I have the zeal of a convert.

A beautiful and jazzy debut, full of fun and smirking nightclub joy. This feels like Miriam being brought to a nightclub to create whatever set she wanted, and her taking full advantage of the opportunity. It’s no wonder this is deemed a classic. There’s really only one weak track, “One More Dance”, that’s taken over by an overbearing duet partner who laughs the whole way through. Without context, it just fees out of place in an otherwise perfectly cohesive set. This one will be a return trip for me for sure. Belongs in the “perfect vibe” stack of albums. Really solid.

Brilliant.

la vita è troppo breve per non dare cinque stelle a questa donna, non mi sono annoiata neanche per un secondo e la sua voce è una carezza di velluto. The Click Song è splendida e Mbube è chiaramente l'ispirazione per The Lion Sleeps Tonight, veramente iconica. e ho scoperto che è anche lei che ha scritto e cantato Pata Pata, colonna sonora della mia infanzia. Mama Africa sei meravigliosa.

Beautiful, absolutely fantastic

Wonderful!

Loved this album. What a voice. I've always enjoyed the South African artists who have become popular in the West (Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Soweto Gospel Choir, etc.). I know of Miriam Makeba, but mostly for her activism. For some reason I never really explored her music that deeply and only knew her most popular songs. Her voice is smooth like butter and she effortlessly adapts to different styles — from South African folk songs to Indonesian lullabies (Suliram) to American jazz/soul (House of the Rising Sun, Where Does it Lead?, etc.). The music and the backing vocalists are great as well — really enjoyed the blues/jazz influenced folk sound and the mix of uptempo dance songs and slower ballads. The only low point on this album is One More Dance — Charles Coleman sounds like he's drunk off his ass and the laughing throughout the song is cringe-inducing. The version with Harry Belafonte is much better. 4.75/5 — docking a bit for the awful Coleman song, but that's not really Miriam's fault.

Would not naturally be a favorite of mine, but albums like this are why I’m doing this project. I had never heard this album before, but I loved it. It was authentic, unique (in the context of most of these albums), and she had legit chops when she needed them.

great dinner album

How did I ever miss this!? Wonderful powerful talent. Just what I needed today.

Mbube! Huge history, on that one! Love folk music, great for lifting the spirits. Incredible taste of South African culture. I always love when the cultural notes come down from 1001AG. Will definitely be keeping this in the back for traveling.

Such a beautiful voice and album. Enjoyed the cultural language sung in this album, very sweet sounds.

4.5/5 Makeba's exceptional voice transcends language and culture in a both beautifully sweet and fantastically powerful performance. If only the quality stretched to the very end of the record, then the album would be something special. Charles Colman's bizarre, goofy laughing feature is something I won't be able to get out of my head any time soon though. The Retreat Song 5/5 Suliram 5/5 The Click Song 5/5 (FAV) Umhome 4/5 Holilili 4/5 Lakutshon' Ilanga 5/5 Mbube 4.5/5 The Naughty Little Flea 5/5 Where Does It Lead 5/5 Nomeva 4/5 House of the Rising Sun 4/5 Saduva 3/5 One More Dance 2/5 (LEAST FAV) Iya Guduza 3/5

This is why I got involved in this, something so extraordinary that I'd never normally listen to. Break the cycle of westernized anglicized music and melt away with this. The only sad part is it was far too short...

She sang during my high school years so I'm not familiar with her songs, though I recognize the name. The song Mbube has parts that aver similar to Whimaway.

This was great, the only issue i ever really have with these albums of soul (sort of) singers from african nations that were granted funding and platforms for albums throughout the 60s and 70s is that they had to pander to a western audience through inclusions of western canon standards. It's not always a bad thing because usually the singer is a big fan of this music themselves, but there is definitely something lacking in most of the non-African tunes on this album, maybe a passion or personal connection that doesn't feel as strong and I think the album suffers for it unfortunately. That being said this doesn't apply to all of the performances and majority of the record was a joy to listen to. But also was the laughing song supposed to sound so sinister because that was SCARY.

What a voice. Thoroughly enjoyable 50's Afropop.

Listened to this three times in a row. First time it wasn't grabbing me and I got distracted then part way through I realised I was really enjoying it in the background so when it finished I have it another go from the start. Later I was telling my wife about it and she thought it sounded interesting so we listened to it together.

Wow, I'd never heard of Miriam Makeba, but this is really great stuff. Nice mix of '60s jazz and traditional African music. Some very catchy tunes on here. My favorites are "The Click Song" and "Iya Guduza".

Such a powerful voice, so dynamic in expression and control as she goes from belting with such intensity to a smooth soft delivery in a matter of seconds, quite impressive. The first thing I thought about stylistically was Harry Belafonte, then a short search and I see they’ve collaborated together on many occasions. I should know a lot more about Miriam Makeba, I’m ashamed to say I don’t, especially as I read of all her accomplishments and struggles. As I listen to her sing I’m reminded of the power of music and performance over lyrics, even the songs that I don’t know the language I’m still moved and understand the emotions being conveyed for the most part thanks to Miriam’s insane vocal abilities. For me this is a perfect end of the day wind down album. I give it a solid 4.

I was excited to see this album today. Of course I know about the legendary Miriam Makeba but never sat down to listen to an album front to back. The tracks were mostly traditional songs; I was somewhat familiar with a few, but with most I was not. Since presumably she didn't write these songs, I won't evaluate the songs themselves as works of art, only her vocal performance of them, and the production. I find no fault with either. I feel this album’s aim was to simply showcase the voice of a gifted singer. The instrumentation and production simply had to give her a platform and not get in her way, let her do her thing and shine. Compared to some of the other albums on this list using a lot of ambitious songwriting and sonic experimentation, this is was a simpler goal to achieve (though no less worthwhile) and I think they did achieve it. The instrumentation was so spare, sometimes non-existent, and the recording was so simple and clear, giving Miriam nowhere to hide, not that she needed to, showing easy virtuosity with her beautiful, dynamic voice. I can't remember the last time I listened to an a cappella recording, and I found it to be an interesting and rewarding experience, just experiencing the excellency of a lovely human voice singing a traditional song. I often like to ponder musical family trees, and how various musical influences get passed down through time. I thought it was neat to hear so many shades of American music in some of these songs, like some of the melodies sounded so bluesy, or some of the arrangements evoked doo-wop style, stuff like the Four Seasons. American music clearly owes so much to African music. Miriam is one of those generational and cultural icons, like Edith Piaf, who both represent and transcend their time and place. My kids enjoyed listening to this with me and I could see having this type of music on as a pleasant backdrop for daily life.

This one I'm probably going to be pretty biased on. The first time I listened to this album I was about 6 years old. I was a child in Trinidad always looking through my parents music cassettes and vinyls. Among the names I would come across were Neil Diamond, Charlie Pride, Oscar De Leon, Abba, Roger Whittiker, Stevie Wonder large assortments.of classical music like Berlioz, Brahms, and Chopin and in there in the mix was Miriam Makeba. I grew up hearing her voice on vinyl a lot. The house would fill up with her voice. I was really glad to see her pop up on here as I have not listened to her music in quite some time. My dad.was a huge fan of hers, I can imagine not just because of her incredible voice but probably because of her background of digging her heals in against apartheid. Most of the songs on here brought back nostalgia. I can't tell you how many times I listened to the 'Click Song' and tried so hard to imitate the Xhosa language and get the click sound on the right word or vowel. It was impossible! I don't think there was really a miss on any of the songs. Listening to this stuff as an adult I am amazed at how powerful Miriam's voice is, it cuts through like an axe then at the same time she can restrain herself to sing quietly but still with a great tone. I remember laughing really hard at the One More Dance song because of the guy laughing in the song. The Retreat Song may actually be one of my favorites along with The Click Song. With it being released in 1960 I imagine this had to have been the first time many people throughout the world would have been exposed to indigenous South African language and culture. A great album.

No lo volvería a escuchar solo, pero me gustó bastante. Le pongo un 4 y le doy la última estrella por el cool african bonus.

Wonderful find on here.

Mama Africa at her very best. What a voice!

Wow. Incredible from front to back. Damn near a religious experience. This captures so many different sounds and sounds truly timeless. I feel touched by this album

I learned about this one because of that craptastic Makeba song that was all over the internet last summer but this is a great one. Her life as an anti apartheid activist in South Africa is in itself incredible but as a singer she’s untouchable. First song hits out of nowhere and immediately you feel the power of her voice. What struck me right away was the non-drum percussive sounds that accompany her impressive vocals. The second track flips to a gentle lullaby which is just as good as the punchier track before it. I don’t speak Afrikaans but the music is beautiful enough to make me tear up. The Click Song starts with her introducing the story of the song and it’s like listening to your favorite teacher. The album is short with 14 tracks, but I think this is her debut so the songs are also short to fit them onto a vinyl record. Old ass RCA Victor shit lol. The production is very good for something that came out in 1960! Seriously just stop what you’re doing and treat yourself to this record and learn about her life. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

Well, this is nice. Soothing. Peaceful. I don't know the language in some of the songs, but I'd hope Miriam wouldn't pull one over on me and sing about kicking rabbits or anything nefarious like that. Rabbits are cute, they don't deserve that. I'm not saying something's intrinsic cuteness is tied to whether it's kickable or not, because snakes freak me out, I wouldn't call them cute by and large, but I wouldn't want one to be kicked, either. This has some good beats, but, again, don't beat up animals. Unless it's a life or death thing. But even then, a bear wants to kill me, who am I to stop a bear? If I don't have my bear repellent on me, that's my fault and I'm just not fit to survive.

This is great! I love almost all music I've heard that originates from Africa. Miriam mixes traditional Afro beats with western jazz and pop to create something (at the time) wholly unique. Her voice is beautiful across all tracks. Even her rendition of House of the Rising Sun (a song I absolutely HATE!) is an incredible and moving interpretation. I can see why she is well known for making "world" music more accessible to the US.

I was transported.

Awesome 60's singer! Loved the origin of Lion sings tonight, beautiful sound, top notch.

Not my cup of tea but that bass was great

This is what heaven sounds like.

Absolutely love this. It's just gorgeous in places, fun in others. Just makes me smile and feel warm. I know her a little from her Collab album with Harry Belafonte, which is also well worth checking out. An interesting life for sure, always an activist, married Stokely Carmichael of the black panthers, was also briefly married to Hugh Masakela another great South African musician. Tbh I want to hear 1001 albums from the 50s and 60s as it seems to force the editor into more interesting choices.

This is one that grows on you. Multiple listens, surely, unlock new subtleties, reveal nuances.

This is an excellent album by an artist I have never heard of before. THIS is what this list is for, not endless promotion of mediocre british musicians. 5/5

Love this album! Had heard a couple of her songs before, but not a whole album. The flow is perfect!

Beautiful vocals, a unique and effective variety of song styles, and an amazing artist history to go with it. If you are unfamiliar with Miriam Makeba do yourself a favor and read up on her career and life in general.

BANGER BANGER BANGER BANGER BANGER

I don't know what she's singing, but Miriam Makeba's eponymous album is sad, happy, kind and patient. I don't toss the word beautiful around too much, but there is no better way to describe the tune of this songbird. 5/5.

Not for me

Enjoyed listening to the entire album during my office hour!

This is absolutely exceptional. My first five star that I had never heard beforehand. What an amazing voice. Jesus.

New favorite that led me down an entire genre I knew nothing about. It was fun, eye opening, and wow she can sing. No skips, and a few repeats.

This is a really cool album, and many of the songs are in African dialects, rather than English. "The Click Song" is really fun Also enjoyed Mbube, which is the original "Lion Sleeps Tonight," and a fantastic cover of "House of the Rising Sun."

Wow. Albums like this are what make me glad to be participating in this list. This felt like a real discovery for me. I loved this album. It’s so full of heart and is just beautiful. Also, One More Dance is hilarious.

Cultural significance 5

5/5. I'm usually disconnected from albums that are not in English, just due to nature of understanding, but I don't need to know what Makeba is saying to feel that emotion and power from her vocals. Instrumentation is simple, to let her shine. The songs in English are dark and brooding mostly, despite the lyrical content. The uplifting non-English songs are beautiful and calming, I feel welcome in her voice, I don't know how to describe it.

Doesn't have my favorite song of hers, Pata-Pata, but I really like this kind of music.

Absolutely a gem. What a cool person and her music is lovely!

Listening to this while commuting in a dense and freezing Seattle fog was surreal. And anything that establishes Timon and Pumba as frauds halfway through the record gets an automatic five stars from me.

Amazing.

Beautiful!

Tykkäsin. Ei välttämättä lenkille, mutta muuten ehdottomasti kuuntelulistalle.

Glorious

Kinda loved it. Would listen to this album more

Absolutely stunning. She has such power and control and her emotive range is so freaking wide. Didn't take notes on individual tracks but just really enjoyed relaxing into her voice.

What an incredible album! I really wish the Europeans weren't such dickheads to Africa so that their music and culture could flourish a lot more, it's so unique and beautiful. The rhythms are so fun it feels like it was made to be danced to. And to me the harmonies sound very spiritual, not sure if they're meant to be or if that's just how I perceive them based on my cultural experiences but either way they're fire.