Nach Sky Girl Midnite Spares und OZ Waves kommen hier Aufnahmen aus den australischen Outbacks
die die Vielseitigkeit der Kultur der Aborigines zeigen Efficient Space is honoured to share
the little-heard recordings of three Yolngu songmen from Northeast Arnhem Land - Bobby
Bunnungurr Jimmy Djamunba and Peter Milaynga (d. 2007) - working in collaboration with
Victorian musician Peter Mumme. Yolngu are the indigenous peoples of Arnhem Land in Northern
Territory Australia their clans are the Marangu and Malabirr the languages Djinang and
Gannalbingu. Their songs are of instruction story and ceremony. A connection first initiated
by Yolngu actor David Gulpilil Waak Waak Djungis mid-90s recordings were preceded by years of
respectful sharing of culture. Mumme explains that the aim was to produce something that is new
not in the sense of a breakthrough but what emerges from the combining of existing ideas. What
developed was sonically unique - sprawling vocal electronic soundscapes and field recordings
that reimagine the traditional songs of black crows and white cockatoos sharing creation
spirits and of leaving and returning home to country. Spacious and patiently durational the
songs resound in a big land with a big story to tell. On the 1997 Waak Waak Djungi album Crow
Fire Music these interpretations were assembled with traditional recordings and additional
material from Sebastian Jörgensen and Sally Grice. Falling short of generating public interest
it became well known in the Yolngu homeland. Nearly two decades later a CD copy filed away in
the 3RRR FM library would prompt a three year investigation to meet the people behind the
music. Waak Waak ga Min Min (Black Crow White Cockatoo) combines the previously unreleased
Gandi Bawong with five contemporary versions from the original album with a new cover painting
by Bobby Bunnungurr. Tracing 1997 back to many millennia ago this is a captivating window into
the richness of Aboriginal culture and collaboration.
