Gurrumul Yunupingu – The Gurrumul Story

A member of the Gumatj clan and a speaker of the indigenous Yolngu language, Gurrumul's songs describe identity and spirituality, a connection with the land, the primal elements and the ancestral beings to whom it is related. His fragile but uniquely soulful high tenor voice and aura-like appearance evoke feelings of peace and longing in the listener.

Gurrumul first gained worldwide attention when his self-titled debut album Gurrumul was released in 2008 to international acclaim. His angelic voice delighted fans around the world, including such notables as Elton John, will.i.am, Sting, Gary Barlow, Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder.

To date, over half a million Gurrumul albums have been sold worldwide. He won nine ARIA Awards and was posthumously named Australian Artist of the Year in 2018. After a long battle with illness, Gurrumul passed away in 2017 at the age of 46.

The anthology includes alternate versions of two of Gurrumul's most popular songs. "Wiyathul (Longing For Place)" is a brand new version of "Wiyathul" - the song that propelled Gurrumul into the spotlight in 2008 - amplified with an orchestra. This new version is accompanied by a new music video (the song's first official music video) shot in May 2021 on Gurrumul's home island of Elcho Island, featuring local dancers interpreting the song's lyrics through the movement of their totem dance.

Reviews

"The most important voice in Australia." (Rolling Stone Australia)

"The voice of a higher being." (Sting)

"One of the most unusual, soulful and musical voices I have ever heard." (Quincy Jones)