Product Overview
Legacy Edition – 2021 Reissue on Decca Australia – Red / Orange Vinyl 2LP Set
“Australia’s Most Important Voice” - Rolling Stone Australia
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.
Born blind, the Indigenous Australian singer/songwriter Gurrumul grew up as a member of the Gumatj clan on Elcho Island, off the coast of tropical North East Arnhem land in Australia’s Northern Territory. Gurrumul’s songs speak of identity, spirit, connection with the land, the elements and the ancestral beings to whom he is related. His fragile but uniquely emotive high tenor voice and aura-like persona elicit feelings of peace and longing in listeners.
Gurrumul first came to the world’s attention when his self-titled debut album Gurrumul was released to international acclaim in 2008. His angelic voice connected with fans the world over, including such notable names as Elton John, will.I.am, Sting, Gary Barlow, Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder. Half a million copies of Gurrumul have been sold worldwide.
Gurrumul has performed for Her Majesty the Queen of England, US President Barack Obama, Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark. He was one of only two Australian performers at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace.
Following a long battle with illness, Gurrumul passed away in 2017 at Royal Darwin Hospital at the age of 46.
