Music is a universal language, as Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu also proves. Although this blind Aboriginal sang on his debut album Gurrumul in his native language Yonglu, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, the album became a sensation worldwide. The soulful voice of the shy musician turned out to touch the hearts of many listeners. Sting even praised Gurrumul's voice 'as having the voice of a
… higher being!' He is now seen as a role model for the Aboriginal people and as the greatest voice on the Australian continent. His second studio album Rrakala, recorded in New York, is a natural follow-up to his debut. This time Gurrumul plays more instruments: in addition to acoustic and electric guitar, also piano and drums. By recording his voice multitrack, he creates beautiful vocal sounds again. In melodic and low tempo ballads, Gurrumul sings about his connection with nature and the matriarchal society of the Rrakala, as the Gumatj clan calls itself and to which Gurrumul belongs. The tender melancholic sound and contemplative vocals put the listener in a soothing and harmonious mood, deeply human and spiritual. (SvdP)more
