Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu GURRUMUL Skinyfish Music Ply Ltd/ Dramatico Entertainment ***** Truly inspirational music, this collection transports, remedies and caresses the very depths of the human soul with such warmth—this is true natural talent and though you may not understand the words or embrace the true nature of these songs, they speak to you in a language we’ll always understand. The haunting opening to GURRUMAL is made with the song Wiyathul; a wonderful track that instantly offers us a respite, something to capture to bring us back to the roots of every emotion, every thought ever processed, everybody possessed. Gurrumul brings narrative with his guitar playing, a wonderful picking style that he says was learnt from Dire Sraits and the Eagles with a swift nod of the head to Neil Diamond and Elvis Presley in vocal styling; his inspirations as a child. Born blind as explained in track four titled Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind), his music brings us back to the very nature of just being and captures the magic of creation, in life and in music. GURRUMUL is his first solo release following time with a couple of bands, significantly Yothu Yindi and the Saltwater Band. Originally from Arnhemland, the Northern territory of Australia, Gurrumul embraces the songs and stories of the Gumatj clan, and the songs are actually sung in Galpu, Gumatj, Djambarrpuynu and English, providing us English translations of each song in the liner notes. The release of this album began in Australia in February 2008 where the album was officially awarded gold status on October 13 of the same year and was followed by platinum status on November 21. His guitar playing has attracted much attention having adopted the guitar at a young age, he learnt to play a right-handed acoustic upside down and still plays in that way. Accompanied on the album by Michael Hohnen on double bass and Craig Pilkington providing additional acoustic guitars, this release is in no way sparse in sound and has captured a wonderful natural and organic process that is reflected in the record. Now making history with his astounding set of songs, notably Bapa and the moving and vocally hypnotic Marwurrumburr this is astounding talent, bringing such warmth and remedy to a cold winter and is soothing to the soul. You may not understand all the words, but you sure feel them to the very depths of your being. Truly inspirational music! LB