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It’s been a remarkable year for the indigenous music of Australia. The most extraordinary success story has been that of blind aboriginal singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – but there were other impressive performances from the massed ranks of the Black Arm Band when they staged their angry and political musical revue at Womad. Now comes a timely compilation of “folk, soul, jazz and roots music from indigenous Australia” that includes some fine vocal work along with reminders that many aboriginal singers rely too much on copying western styles. The star, inevitably, is Gurrumul Yunupingu himself, backed here by the Saltwater Band. His melodies may sound like a sturdy blend of western soul or reggae, but are transformed by his exquisite, relaxed singing. Elsewhere, the Black Arm Band’s Ruby Hunter provides a moody, jazz-tinged story of her painful teenage years in Down City Streets, her husband Archie Roach uses a sturdy western melody for his Linyard Ngarn, and Shellie Morris shows off her range and gutsy vocals on Swept Away.
RD