Sangoma

Amazon.com
A sangoma is a traditional healer, one who channels the ancestral spirits who advise the living. On this impeccably produced CD, Miriam Makeba returns to her roots, singing the songs of her childhood, and in the process seeks to heal the wounds of apartheid and 30 years of exile from her South African home. The songs here are parables, lullabies, and gathering songs, deeply spiritual and moving. They are songs of struggle and perseverance delivered by Africa's best-loved voice. Mama Africa (Makeba's nickname) is joined by a group of soulful women singers. Some songs feature understated percussion; others are gloriously unadorned a cappella. This is an essential timeless album from one of the world's greatest singers. --Jeff Grubb

Tracks:

Emabhaceni
Baxabene Oxamu
Ngalala Phantsi
Ihoyiya
Kulo Nyaka
Baya Jabula
Mabhongo
Ingwemabala
Mosadi Ku Rima
Angilalanga
Ungakanani
Ngiya Khuyeka
Nyankwabe
Sabumoya
Congo
Nginani Na
Umam' Uyajabula
Nyamuthla
Icala

Amazon.com

A sangoma is a traditional healer, one who channels the ancestral spirits who advise the living. On this impeccably produced CD, Miriam Makeba returns to her roots, singing the songs of her childhood, and in the process seeks to heal the wounds of apartheid and 30 years of exile from her South African home. The songs here are parables, lullabies, and gathering songs, deeply spiritual and moving. They are songs of struggle and perseverance delivered by Africa's best-loved voice. Mama Africa (Makeba's nickname) is joined by a group of soulful women singers. Some songs feature understated percussion; others are gloriously unadorned a cappella. This is an essential timeless album from one of the world's greatest singers. --Jeff Grubb

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Grace.......2007-03-28

I grew up with just one of Miriam Makeba's albums, the only one available at that time, simply called: Miriam Makeba. Technology has outdated the record albums, replaced with tapes and now cd's. I love this album. Reading the insert, I find that Miriam Makeba is not only the singer, but she is the choir. Every voice in the background is Miriam Makeba. Recorded and re-recorded, it must have been an amazing effort for her. This album records songs passed on from generations past. It is good to know that these South African treasures will remain, I am assuming the songs are of Zulu origin.

Transcendent music........2001-08-11

IÕve had a cassette of this album in my car for more than a decade, and IÕm sure IÕve played it more than any of the dozens of other cassettes in the car. ItÕs one of the few I never get tired of hearing. Since the songs are all in Xhosa, I had no idea what Miriam Makeba was singing about, but there was something so warm and uplifting, so healing, about her voice, and the lilting rhythms of the songs, that meaning didnÕt seem to matter. Only recently I glanced at the liner notes and realized that most of the songs are essentially prayers. They call on the spirits of ancestors for help or strength, or praise them for the help theyÕve given. ItÕs transcendent, spiritual music Ð which I guess at some level I knew all along, even without understanding the words. That the sense of the songs is clear even if you donÕt understand the language tells you a lot about the power of Miriam MakebaÕs singing.

My six-year-old daughter also loves this album, and often asks me to play it. (She says her favorite singers are Raffi, Ella Fitzgerald and Miriam Makeba Ð an interesting trio.) I suspect MakebaÕs warmth comes through to any listener, no matter what their age. This is some of the most moving music IÕve ever heard.

Very good... but not the best of Makeba.......2000-05-01

It's certainly a beautiful CD, with gorgeous music. But... I grew up with the music of Miriam Makeba on her older LP's, and quite frankly, her voice during the 60's and 70's was so exceptionally beautiful -- I truly think hers was one of the 2 or 3 greatest voices I've heard, up there with Ella -- that it's just not the same. Don't let me dissuade you from buying this CD, it's very, very good, and anyone who likes, traditional S. African music will *really* like this CD. But if you want to hear the real Makeba, with a voice so beautiful it sends a chill down your spine, you have to go to earlier materials. I hope the record companies release her early material some day.

Average customer rating:

The Rich Sound of Ann Mortifee
Her first album in 10 years!

Into the Heart of the Sangoma
Ann Mortifee
Manufacturer: Bongo Beat Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
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Healing Journey
Serenade At The Doorway

ASIN: B0007UVXSQ
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

nomKumbulwana
I am glad that you are here
africa
I will meet you there
I dream
I want you to listen to me
something in me
at night-time
the stars are holes
we africans believe
indlovu
rain prayer
indaba
there are loved ones

Customer Reviews:

The Rich Sound of Ann Mortifee.......2007-01-04

I've been a fan of Ann Mortifee for 30 years. Her voice weaves a rich tapestry of African sound and culture. While some of the tracks are duplicated on other albums, I've found it very enjoyable.

Her first album in 10 years!.......2005-03-10

* Into The Heart Of The Sangoma is the first album in over 10 years from Ann Mortifee; legendary singer / composer / playwright / actress / spiritual teacher. A personal journey back to her South African homeland, guided by the wisdom and visions of the Sangoma, the shaman of the Zulu nation. A powerful journey, riveting in its scope and Ann Mortifee's four-octave vocal power. Featuring studio, live, and field recordings from an actual Zulu blood ceremony. An incredible journey of empowerment

* SUPER AUDIO DISC, HYBRID SACD, PLAYABLE ON ALL SACD AND REGULAR CD PLAYERS. 5.0 MIX. Mastered by Graemme Brown, a SACD specialist who works on SACD discs for Concord Records, Chick Corea, and others. Disc manufactured by the Sony SACD plant, USA. Even if you don't have a SACD player, the disc's superior audio will
shine on any cd system, especially home theatre.

* "Miss Mortifee has a voice like a dark lark and a faraway look of mischief in her eyes." Clive Barnes, New York Times. This is a wonderful quote from early in Ann's career that has proven timeless in its prescience.