Pata pata : the hit sound of Miriam Makeba

"This album has been reissued in many formats across the world since 1967, but this Strut Records version trumps the lot. It has been mastered from the original reel-to-reel tapes, giving the sound an immediacy and clarity that is remarkable for its age. The album, which is available on CD, double vinyl LP, streaming and digital, includes both mono and stereo versions. Housed in the original sleeve with the original notes, it is a pity that-beyond Makeba herself-no musician credits are included, as the soundscapes which support her are rich in detail and compellingly energetic ... While the title track obviously merits attention, by no means is this album a hit single plus ten filler tracks; on the contrary, it would be harsh to label any of the tracks as filler. Every one of them radiates commitment and joie de vivre from all concerned. Up-tempo, danceable music predominates, but it is interspersed with songs which show different facets of Makeba's prodigious talent".

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"[This] reissue of her 1967 American-recorded album for Reprise (...) comes complete with the original sleeve and charming period liner notes that describe her as a 'darkly divine enchantress,' whose songs will 'sock one and all into the wide blue yonder faster and higher than any missile ever to cut loose from Canaveral.' With the 11 tracks presented in both the original mono and stereo versions, the disc captures Makeba at a significant point in time as she found crossover American pop success. Produced by Jerry Ragovoy, who wrote hit songs for black American R&B singers such as Dionne Warwick, Lorraine Ellison and Erma Franklin, the disc features some of her older, folk-tinged South African material including 'The Click Song' and 'Pata Pata', which is given a pop makeover. These are augmented by several more cosmopolitan treats, including a lovely, jazzy version of 'West Wind' later made famous by Nina Simone and an engaging take on 'Maria Fulo' by the Brazilian composer Sivuca".