Miriam Makeba with the Crusaders; who knew?

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I just found out about this album here

http://barin99.livejournal.com/350447.html

According to the blog referenced above, it features Joe Sample, Stix Hooper, Arthur Adams, and David T. Walker of the Crusaders. It says it was recorded in 1975, though the headline gives 1974. She was recording for Syliphone at this time, however; her last single for Syliphone, Malcolm X/Malaika, SYL565, issued in 1974 and her last LP for the label, Myriam Makeba et Bongi, SLP48, issued in 1975.

From the cover illustrated, this appears to have been issued in France by Sonodisc on the Esperance label. However it was also issued by EMI in South Africa on the Black Music label.

Anyone any ideas about when and where it was recorded and if there was a US issue?

MG

[robertoart]

They both performed at the Rumble In The Jungle concerts in Sep. 1974.

Larry Carlton was in the band then.

I thought David T Walker replaced him? So maybe it was recorded post Zaire. Maybe the recording was a result of contacts made from that tour perhaps?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BUUs3TNL-g

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Ah, a very helpful reference! Perhaps the album was done in Congo; I think she was in pretty bad odour in the USA because she'd married Stokely. Sonodisc/Esperance were into the Congo in a big way. If that were so, it would explain the lack of a US issue.

MG

[JSngry]

I'd have thought that the logical US label would be Chisa (Hugh Masakela's label, and home to the Crusaders around that time), but looks like it was never released in the US:

http://www.discogs.com/Miriam-Makeba-A-Promise/master/175807

http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-promise-mw0000541360/releases