Personnel: Miriam Makeba (vocals); Kieth Mathela (guitar); Mike Rose, Claudio Pascoli (saxophone); Claude Deppa (trumpet); Louis Laquerre (piano, keyboards); Emmanuel "Chulo" Gatewood (bass); Damon Duewhite (drums); Smith Haliar (percussion); Dorothy Masuka, Doreen Webster, Sipho Mabuse, Miriam Makeba (background vocals).
Recorded at ICP Studios in Brussels, Belgium and Raesor Studio in London, United Kingdom.
A child of apartheid, and an artist who was forced to live in exile, Miriam Makeba has endured decades of struggle, witnessing the ravages of racism and intolerance all her life. However, her music is uplifting and celebratory. Makeba was once quoted as saying, "I'm only happy when I sing."
Clearly, this joy comes across on WELELA, which is influenced by the popular music of Makeba's homeland. "Pata Pata (Touch Touch)" is an exultant tune about dancing, while "A Luta Continua" is a song of resilience that is dedicated to the people of Mozambique. However, the most moving song here is "Soweto Blues," which recounts the events of June 16th, 1976, when children in the eponymous township decided to protest oppression and apartheid. Their opposition was called a riot, and sparked a government massacre that killed 600. A funky groove complements Makeba's strong, passionate voice on this song, and the lyric, incredibly, retains an air of hope despite the distressing subject matter.
