Somi – Zenzile: The Reimagination Of Miriam Makeba (Salon Africana, 2022)
Acclaimced vocalist and songwriter Somi celebrates the work of the iconic South African artist Miriam Makeba and her messages of social justice. Somi selected some of Makeba’s best known songs—both Makeba’s own compositions and covers.
Gisted with a captivating, beautiful voice, Somi masterfully updates the songs with a brilliant combination of Afrobeat, South African roots, Afrojazz, funk, and additional Pan-African influences.
Somie released Zenzile on her own label and invited an ipressive cast of high profile African and American musicans, including several zrtosts from South Africa: male vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo; singer-songwriter Msaki; vocalist and activist Thandiswa Mazwai; and jazz pianist-composer Nduduzo Makhathini join Somi for the tribute. Additionally, Somi invited Afropop star Angelique Kidjo, Nigerian Afrobeat icon Seun Kuti, and American jazz singer Gregory Porter.