Gurrumul is the debut solo album from Indigenous Australian singer/songwriter Gurrumul. Originally released in 2008, the album has achieved triple platinum sales in Australia, and was the winner of the Best Independent Release and Best World Album category at the 2008 ARIA awards. The album begins with Gurrumul’s best-known song – ‘Wiyathul’
SIDE A
Wiyathul
Djȁrimirri
Bȁpa
SIDE B
Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)
Marandil
Marwurrmburr
SIDE C
Galiku
Baywara
Gȁthu Mȁwula
SIDE D
Galupa
Wirrpangu
Wukun
LEGACY EDITION
Clear Vinyl 2-LP Set
2021 Reissue on Decca Records
Cat. No. 3527198
26 March 2021
Producer: Michael Hohnen
Recording Engineer: Craig Pilkington Audrey Studios
(Extra recordings: Michael Hohnen and Jeremy Conlon at Skinnyfish Music)
Mix Engineer: Matthew Cunliffe
Mastered by: Matther Cunliffe
All songs written by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupuyŋu
All artwork, design and layout by Carlo Santone
Cover Photography by Sam Karanikos
Whitehouse Photography
Additional photos: Carlo Santone, Francine Chinn, Helen Page, Michael Hohnen, Peter Eve, Sophie Howarth, Kara Burns
Yolŋu Matha transcriptions and translations by: Bety Marrŋanyin, Andrew Galitiju, Wayama Gaykamaŋu, john Greatorex
The songs are in Galpu, Mumatj, Djambarrpuyŋu and English
All instruments, voices and effects performed by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupuyŋu except:
Double bass: Michael Hohnen
Additional acoustic guitars: Craig Pilkington (Djanda)
Harmonies on Djarimirri are Nigel Yunupuyŋy, Johnno Yunupuyŋu, Makuma Yunupuyŋu, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupuyŋu
A special thank you to oo-oo (Margaret Keddie) for the Martin acoustic guitar
“Yet there is something so timeless and so direct that it is impossible to remain unmoved. It is as though Yunupingu has reached into a wellspring so deep it transcends cultural barriers. He has found an emotional bridge which is genuinely universal. This is not just a very good record. It is one of the greatest recordings ever made by a local indigenous musician.” Sydney Morning Herald, 2008.
“The strength of his gently soaring vocals and the power of songs like ‘Wiyathul’, ‘Marrandil’ and the highly personal and emotional English-language song ‘Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)’ make this a remarkable album.” BBC Music, 2009.