Miriam Makeba - The Magnificent Miriam Makeba

jasonyormark

Review by Jason Yormark

The Magnificent Miriam Makeba: A Raw, Unfiltered Blast of Soul and Struggle Alright, let’s get one thing straight—Miriam Makeba wasn’t just singing songs; she was dropping truth bombs wrapped in melodies. Her 2017 album The Magnificent Miriam Makeba is no different. This ain’t your polished, overproduced pop nonsense—it’s raw, real, and dripping with the kind of soul that makes you sit up and pay attention. From South African Folk to Afrobeat, this record slaps hard across genres like Funk, Jazz, Soul, and even a touch of Political Folk. It's global, unapologetic, and hits like a freight train. Let’s dive into two tracks that stuck with me because they’re not just tunes—they’re punches to the gut. First up, “A Piece Of Ground.” Damn. Just… damn. If you don’t feel something when this song comes on, check your pulse. The bassline from Bill Salter? Insane. It grooves so deep it feels like it’s crawling inside you. And then there’s Makeba’s voice—sharp as a blade but soft enough to break your heart. She’s talking about land, identity, struggle—all that heavy stuff—but it never feels preachy. Instead, it’s personal, like she's leaning over the table telling you her story. You can almost hear the dirt under her feet, the weight of history pressing down. By the end, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to cry or stand up and fight. Then there’s “La Bushe (Congo Bushe).” Oh man, this track is fire. Straight-up fire. Sivuca kills it on accordion here—yeah, ACCORDION—and somehow it works perfectly against the Congolese rhythm. Leopoldo Fleming’s congas slap harder than most drummers’ entire careers. But what really gets me is how infectious this jam is. One listen and you’ll be humming it for days, maybe weeks. It’s upbeat, funky, and yet… there’s an ache to it. Like dancing through pain. That duality? Genius. Pure genius. Look, I could go on about the engineering by Brooks Arthur or how Luchi DeJesus pulled everything together like some kind of musical wizard, but honestly? That’d take away from the grit. This album doesn’t need fancy breakdowns or glowing reviews. It speaks for itself. Every note screams authenticity, every lyric carries the scars and triumphs of a life lived fully. And here’s the kicker—it’s wild to think this album dropped in 2017, decades after Makeba first hit the scene. Yet it still feels fresh, urgent, alive. Maybe that’s why it resonates so much. Or maybe it’s because we’re still dealing with the same crap she sang about back then. Either way, listening to The Magnificent Miriam Makeba feels less like entertainment and more like bearing witness. So yeah, give this album a spin. But don’t say I didn’t warn you—it'll mess you up in all the right ways. Oh, and hey—if music like this doesn’t make you wanna change the world, I dunno what will. Probably TikTok dances or whatever kids are into these days.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: miriam-makeba-the-magnificent-miriam-makeba.zip
  • MP3 size: 148.2 mb
  • FLAC size: 725.8 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Oh, Tell Me My Mother (Wa Thint'a Madoda)2:43
That's How It Goes (Ntsizwa)2:33
Akana Nkomo3:6
La Bushe (Congo Bushe)2:22
My Love Is Young2:28
Where Are You Going3:49
A Piece Of Ground
West Wind2:50
Charlie (Oh Mama)2:39
Mr. Man2:17
Oh, Tell Me My Mother (Wa Thint'a Madoda)
I'm in Love With Spring
Oh, Tell Me My Mother
That's How It Goes (Ntsizwa)
A Piece of Ground3:41
I'm In Love With Spring
I'm In Love With Spring3:35
La Bushe
Imagine Me2:47

Video

Miriam Makeba - Imagine Me
Miriam Makeba - That's How It Goes (Ntsizwa)
Miriam Makeba - Oh Tell Me My Mother (Wa Thint'a Madoda)

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • MG 21082, MG-21082
  • AN 69-15
  • SR 61082, SR-61082
  • 20087 SMCL, 134 016 MCY
  • MG 21082
  • STX 61082

Labels

Mercury

Listen online

  • lyssna på nätet
  • ouvir online
  • lytte på nettet
  • online anhören
  • online luisteren
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • écouter en ligne
  • escuchar en línea
  • ascolta in linea

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album
  • Promo
  • Mono
  • Stereo
  • Repress
  • Reel-To-Reel
  • 3 ¾ ips
  • ¼"
  • 4-Track Stereo
  • 7" Cine Reel

Companies

RoleCompany
Record CompanyMercury Record Corporation
Made ByHed Arzi Ltd.
Manufactured ByAmpex
Phonographic Copyright (p)Mercury Record Manufacturing Company
Pressed ByMercury Record Manufacturing Company

Credits

RoleCredit
Arranged ByLuchi DeJesus
ProducerLuchi DeJesus
Liner NotesLuchi DeJesus
BassBill Salter
CongasLeopoldo Fleming
EngineerBrooks Arthur
GuitarSivuca
AccordionSivuca

Notes

  • Release includes Congolese dance music not available as a Drop Down selection.
  • Repress with different label art.
  • MR in runout indicates Mercury Record Manufacturing Company pressing.
  • First catalog number on cover, second on labels.

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (Side 1, stamped, except MR I): MG 21082A M1 MR I
  • Matrix / Runout (Side 2, stamped, except MR I I I): MG 21082B M1 MR I I I
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A label): 134 016 1Y
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B label): 134 016 2Y
  • Matrix / Runout: MG 21082 - 2 A
  • Matrix / Runout: MG 21082 - 2. B
  • Rights Society: ASCAP
  • Rights Society: BMI
  • Matrix / Runout: SR 61082-A-M1 MR
  • Matrix / Runout: SR 61082-B-M1 MR

About Miriam Makeba

télécharger l'album Miriam Makeba - The Magnificent Miriam Makebadescargar álbum Miriam Makeba - The Magnificent Miriam MakebaAlbum herunterladen Miriam Makeba - The Magnificent Miriam Makebaladda ner album Miriam Makeba - The Magnificent Miriam Makebalataa albumi Miriam Makeba - The Magnificent Miriam Makebalast ned album Miriam Makeba - The Magnificent Miriam Makeba
Nickname: Mama Africa Born March 4th, 1932, in Johannesburg, South Africa died November 10th, 2008, in Castel Volturno, Italy Grammy Award-winning South African singer, also known as Mama Afrika. She sang with and , before landing a role in the musical King Kong in 1959. She left for London where she met , who invited her to America. Makeba is widely regarded as the first lady of South Africa traditional music. At one time married to , she became an international superstar in the USA and the UK, before being able to return to South Africa, once the political situation had improved.

Real Name

    • Miriam Zenzi Makeba

Name Vars

  • (Miriam Makeba)
  • Jerry Ragavay
  • M. Mabeka
  • M. Makeba
  • M. Makebe
  • M. Makeeba
  • M. Makera
  • M. Makéba
  • M. makeba
  • M.Makabe
  • M.Makeba
  • Makeba
  • Makebe
  • Makiba
  • Makéba
  • Mariam Makeba
  • Marianm Makeba
  • Miriam
  • Miriam 'Mazi' Makeba
  • Miriam Makebe
  • Miriam Makeeba
  • Miriam Mekeba
  • Mirian Makeba
  • Mirriam Makeba
  • Myriam Makea
  • Myriam Makeba
  • Myriam Makéba
  • S. Makeba
  • Z. Makeba
  • М. Макеба
  • Мариам Макеба
  • Мириам Макеба
  • مريم ماكيبا
  • ßê¢àûÞ±Ð

Aliases

  • Mama Afrika

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? Miriam Makeba’s album *The Magnificent Miriam Makeba* is a vibrant mix of genres and styles, showcasing her incredible versatility as an artist. Released in 2017, it blends South African Folk, Afrobeat, Soul, and even Big Band sounds. What’s fascinating is how the album brings together musicians from around the world—like Brazilian accordionist Sivuca and bassist Bill Salter—to create something truly global. The track "Oh, Tell Me My Mother (Wa Thint'a Madoda)" stands out, not just for its powerful message but also because it reflects Makeba’s dedication to preserving African traditions through music. It’s like a musical journey across continents, all in one record.

Comments

brodinjf
2025-03-14
She was an fubulous singer. I attended the last show before her death in Italy. It was on a thursday in Tilburg, Netherlands.
tellingen
2025-03-14
The heavenly voice......rumors have it she sang this song and Forbidden Game for the late Forbes Burnham of Guyana whom she had a secret love with.She visited Guyana ?? frequently private and professional quite a few times.
aslatifa
2025-03-14
Who ever u r ..thank u..Makeba is my joy..thank u for posting..
kalasenja1717
2025-03-13
Listen to this song is a passage to my childhood back in my Country..
I love it
mengpetcare
2025-03-12
I Love this lady so much. She’s the reason why I sing
mpb2313
2025-03-11
Wow! I've been trying to find this song for ages and just couldn't. Here I am sitting in all this heat on my beautiful island, Jamaica humming it to myself and focusing on this voice that soothed my soul when I was very young and voila! I said to myself that unmistakable voice must be that of the one and only Miriam Makeba. I was right. Thank you Lord for this wonderful love of music that I have deep inside my heart and soul. I think I read somewhere that it was fellow Jamaican, Harry Belafonte who introduced her to the world. A beautiful woman with a powerful voice.
Listening to KOOL 97 ?? COVID 2021era. Imagine me ?????
xoxophalinxoxo
2025-03-10
No
sheinamaealonzo
2025-03-10
Oh what a beautiful song, I too have memories of it since as a child...love to you always Miriam, rest in peace
cynthialeonblog
2025-03-10
Thanks for upload this Song.
georgeweazy45
2025-03-10
Dear Miriam, you make me feel so happy. You are still alive in me.
whatisup09
2025-03-10
I love her style of music & singing too
ianlimbe
2025-03-09
I love you Miss Makeba. I do.I am so in low right now and oh your song
webmaster965d132245
2025-03-08
Simply Beautiful...both the song and the singer.
nanealiali55
2025-03-08
Thanks thanks and thanks again I have been looking for this song...had fond memories of this song while in high school...this is goood
ravinderchanaliya8
2025-03-07
Absolutely Fantastic!!!!
cesarcorvera
2025-03-06
From my childhood! So many wonderful memories. Thank you!
promosteemthailand
2025-03-05
This is simply beautiful..rest well MAKEBA.
jorge140991
2025-03-04
Let me love you please,,, close your eyes and let me love thee ,,, IMAGINE..fly away in my arms ,,fly.
aimeemcnamee
2025-03-03
ahahahahahaaha Makeba continues to surprise long after her day is done..Imagine..oh I love you so..I love u I do. for ever..
blackopskillaz70
2025-03-03
Sweet sweet Angel...
newlookmedia
2025-03-02
what a nice voice Mama Africa !
deepsurface
2025-03-02
Oh mirriam..
londonlisbonbybike
2025-03-02
To the heavenly one who uploaded this song. Thanks from this dimension to the next.  I have been searching for this song for years.  I have loved it since I was three years old.  And now...Thank You!!!!
lifeinthemummylane
2025-03-02
Leopoldo Fleming, Congas. Excelente