The final chapter of Gurrumul’s story is out on April 13 in the form of the album Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow). In the lead up to this release, the first track of the album has been released. ‘Djolin (Musical Instrument)’ depicts the fusion of two traditions.
Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) took four years in the making and was completed weeks before Gurrumul’s death in 2017. The album is his gift to the world and shows Gurrumul’s ability to combine traditional Yolngu songs and chants with dynamic orchestral arrangements. It’s his final message.
“Last year we sat and listened to these recordings over and over again, from beginning to end and piece by piece, pulling them apart and putting them back together,” says collaborator and friend Michael Hohnen. “We [were] preparing to release it and then we lost him.
“He was immensely proud of what we achieved on this album and it is an emotional experience for all of us to present this final enormous chapter in his story with this musical statement.”
The album is the predecessor to the cinematic release of Gurrumul on April 25, a documentary tracking his life achievements. The international premiere of the film received a standing ovation at the Berlin Film Festival
Gurrumul is an iconic role model and the highest selling Indigenous musician of all time. Blind from birth, he balanced family, country and tradition whilst finding meaning through songs inspired by his community.
