The Roots of Miriam Makeba from South Africa to New York

Known widely as "Mama Africa", Johannesburg-born Miriam Makeba, of Xhosa and Swazi descent, was a controversial singer, songwriter, feminist and political activist, perhaps one of the most important black women of the 20th Century. A singer with a dynamic, wholly unique vocal range, she built a career in South Africa during the 1950s, largely as a member of an all-female vocal group, The Skylarks, and as a "guest" member of the all-male Manhattan Brothers.

She met Harry Belafonte in 1959, who encouraged her to move to New York, where he mentored her career and produced her early albums.

Disc 1 of this 2-CD set features the pick of her 1950s recordings made in South Africa, between 1954-59, and includes her first international hit, 'Lovely Lies', recorded with The Manhattan Bros.

Disc 2 comprises her earliest New York recordings, the LPs Miriam Makeba (which featured 'The Click Song') and The Many Voices Of Miriam Makeba, plus a couple of sides recorded with Belafonte at Carnegie Hall.