Welela Explained

Welela is an album by the South African musician Miriam Makeba, released in 1989. It was produced primarily by Sipho Mabuse.^[1]

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote that "Makeba mixes old and new on Welela, using a polished modern production to carry recent and traditional songs," and deemed "A Luta Continua" "one of the most infectious agitprop songs of the decade."^[2]

Track listing

1. "Amampondo" (Miriam Makeba) – 5:20
2. "African Sunset" (Sipho Mabuse) – 5:49
3. "Djiu De Galinha" (José Carlos Schwarz) – 4:08
4. "A luta continua" (Makeba) – 4:40
5. "Soweto Blues" (Hugh Masekela, S. Todd) – 4:18
6. "Welela" (Nelson Lee) – 3:18
7. "Hapo Zamani" (Makeba, Dorothy Masuka) – 4:29
8. "Pata Pata" (Makeba, Jerry Ragovoy) – 3:53
9. "Saduva" (Makeba) – 4:43
10. "Africa" (Keith Mathela) – 4:33

Personnel

• Miriam Makeba – Lead vocal
• Sipho Mabuse, Dorothy Masuka, Doreen Webster – Backing vocals
• Keith Mathela – Guitars
• Claude Deppa – Trumpet
• Claudio Pascoli, Michael "Bami" Rose – Sax
• Emmanuel "Chulo" Gatewood – Bass
• Damon Duewhite – Drums
• Smith Ailar – Percussion
• Loulou Laguerre – Keyboards

Production

• Produced By Sipho Mabuse & Roberto Meglioli
• Post-Production By Allan Goldberg
• Recorded & Engineered By Toby Alington & Jean Trenchant
• Mixed By Sipho Mabuse & Allan Goldberg

Notes and References

1. News: Heim . Chris . Alternative Picks . Chicago Tribune . 27 Oct 1989 . Friday . 60.
2. News: Pareles . Jon . Pop/Jazz . The New York Times . 12 Nov 1989 . A34.