Blekbala Mujik
Blekbala Mujik (Black People's Music) is a musical group based in from Arnhem Land, Australia. They have a unique pop/rock/dance/reggae sound and have a huge support base for their live shows and recordings. They are cited in the World Music: The Rough Guide as next best known to Yothu Yindi[1]
History
Blekbala Mujik was formed around 1986. Their base was located in the small community of Barunga (Gulin-Gulin) in central Arnhem Land in Australia.
The founding member, Peter Miller, lives in Alice Springs, but the band is based in Barunga. The band sings partly in English and partly in Kriol, which is a creole language based on English and Australian Aboriginal languages.
Blekbala mujik means "blackfella music" in Kriol.
Band members
- Peter Miller - guitar and vocals;
- Lazarus Murray (a.k.a. Gulindirriy) - didgeridoo and vocals;
- Lachlan Lawrence - bass and vocalist;
- Johnny Blanasi - lead guitar;
- Michael Havir - keyboards and accordion;
- Dwayne Billy - clapsticks;
- Hason Fuller - clapsticks, vocals and dancing;
- Allen Murphy - drums and vocals; and
- Sammy Bush - lead vocals.
Discography
Nitmiluk (1990) - CAAMA
Midnait Mujik (1990) - CAAMA
Come-N-Dance (1993) - CAAMA
Tracks:
- Black Cockatoo
- Come N Dance
- Drangkinbala
- Children of the World
- Love is a Beautiful Thing
- Come N Dance (radio mix)
- Farewell
Blek Bala Mujik (1995)
Tracks:
- Mimi - Wajbagada
- Walking Together
- Drangkinbala
- Buffalo Stampede
- Don't Worry Just Be Happy
- Come n Dance
- White Cockatoo
- Mibala Yubala
- Mimi
- Walls
- One More Story
- Farewell
Walking Together (1995) - CAAMA
Tracks:
- Walking Together - Radio Mix
- Walking Together - Full Mix
- Walking Together - Instrumental
- Walking Together - U.S. Mix
- Buffalo Stampede (Traditional)
Awards
- 1996 Aria Award nomination for Best Indigenous Release[2]
- 1996 Deadly Sounds Album of the Year
Bibliography
Blekbala Mujik have been cited in numerous articles on Indigenous Australian music.
References
- ↑ Dorian, Frederick; Simon Broughton, Mark Ellingham, Orla Duane, Rough Guides, Richard Trillo (1999). "Australia: Blek Bala Mujik". World Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. pp. 14–15. ISBN 978-1-85828-636-5.
- ↑ Aria Awards, Blek Bala Mujiks award history