Over four years in the making – and completed just weeks before his passing in 2017 – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) is Gurrumul’s final gift to the world. In an astounding musical achievement, Gurrumul combines traditional songs and chants from his ancestral Yolngu culture with hypnotic minimalist orchestral arrangements.
Djarimirri brings together the highest forms of musical expression from both the Indigenous Australian and Western Art Music traditions. The album received four posthumous ARIA awards in 2018 – Best World Album, Best Male Artist, Best Independent Release and Best Cover Art.
SIDE A
Waak
Galiku
Ngarripiya
SIDE B
Djarimirri
Djolin
Marrayarr
SIDE C
Gapu
Djilawurr
Baru
SIDE D
Gopuru
Djapana
Wulminda
LEGACY EDITION
Coloured Vinyl 2-LP Set
2021 Reissue on Decca Records
Cat. No. 3527199
26 March 2021
Artist: Gurrumul
Producer: Michael Hohnen
Arranger / Composer: Gurrumul Yunupingu, Michael Hohnen, Erkki Veltheim
Recording engineers:
Ted Howard (Australia)
Anthony Ruotolo (US)
Robin Mai (Australia)
Mix engineer: Matthew Cunliffe
Mastering: Matthew Cunliffe
All vocals: Gurrumul Yunupingu
Orchestral works by: Erkki Veltheim with Michael Hohnen and Gurrumul
Solo cello parts
Inspired by Dhapan Yunupingu
Transcribed by Erkki Veltheim
Performed by Julian Thompson
Violins
Veronique Serret (lead)
Ilya Isakovich
Lucy Warren
Mark Ingwersen
Violas
Nicole Divall
David Wicks
Alexandru Mihai-Bota
Cellos
Julian Thompson (including all solo yidaki parts)
Heather Lindsay
Double bass: David Campbell
Percussion: Bree van Reyk
Harpsichord: Tamara Anna Cislowska
Cor anglais: Matthew Tighe
Bass and B-flat clarinet: Jason Noble
Horn: Ben Jacks
Trumpet: David Elton
Trombone: Justin Kearin
Bass trombone: Brett Page
“A unique and hugely significant contribution to Australian music.” Sydney Morning Herald, 2018.
“Djarimirri is an album which gives rise to thoughts of consequential efforts and laudatory pronouncements. It is both adventurous and thoughtful, brave and impactful. It is not like anything else out there.” Bernard Zuel, 2018.
“A perfect fusion of traditional and modern, Gurrumul’s unique voice evokes a contemplative mood in the listener and connects to Yolngu culture. The brilliant rhythmic arrangements are hypnotic and heighten the effect … This album is a remarkable achievement.” Readings, 2018.