Blekbala Mujik

Blekbala Mujik (Black People's Music) are an Australian rock, reggae group formed in Barunga, Northern Territory in 1986. They fused rock and reggae with a pop, dance sound and have 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] The band sings in English and in Kriol (a creole language based on English and Australian Aboriginal languages). At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 their album, Blekbala Mujik (May 1996), was nominated for Best Indigenous Release.

Blekbala Mujik
Origin	Barunga, Northern Territory, Australia
Genres	Rock reggae
Years active	1986 (1986)–present
Labels	CAAMA/Shock
Members	Peter Miller Lazarus Murray (a.k.a. Gulindirriy) Lachlan Lawrence Johnny Blanasi Michael Havir Dwayne Billy Hason Fuller Allen Murphy Sammy Bush

History

Blekbala Mujik were formed in 1986 in the rural community of Barunga (Gulin-Gulin) in central Arnhem Land. The founding member, Peter Miller on vocals and guitar, lives in Alice Springs, and was a member of the Northern Land Council.[2] 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.

The group signed with Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) and, in 1990, they issued two albums, Nitmiluk and Midnait Mujik.[3] In 1993 they issued a seven-track cassette, Come-N-Dance.[2][3] In May 1996 they followed with their eponymous full length album, Blekbala Mujik, via CAAMA and distributed by Shock Records,[3] which Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described as "a mix of catchy Aboriginal pop, reggae, techno-tribal dance material and bright funky rock."[2] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 in September, Blekbala Mujik was nominated for Best Indigenous Release.[4]

Alongside Miller other members have included Dwayne Billy on percussion (clapsticks), Johnny Blanasi on lead guitar, Jason Fuller on percussion (clapsticks), Lachlan Gela Lawrence on bass guitar and vocals, Wayne Kala Kala on drums, Allen Murphy on drums (ex-Warumpi Band, Village People, Yothu Yindi), Lazarus Murray on yidaki (see didjeridoo) and Thomas Valandhu on drums.[2] In June 1997 they issued "Walking Together" as a CD single.[2] In February 2013 they issued a new album, We Are One, and followed with a compilation, live album, Greatest Hits Live, in September 2014.[3]

Band members

• Peter Miller  – guitar, vocals
• Lazarus Murray (a.k.a. Gulindirriy)  – didgeridoo, vocals
• Lachlan Lawrence  – bass guitar, vocals
• Johnny Blanasi  – lead guitar
• Michael Havir  – keyboards, accordion
• Dwayne Billy  – clapsticks
• Jason Fuller  – clapsticks, vocals, dancing
• Allen Murphy  – drums, vocals
• Sammy Bush  – lead vocals
• Ngarritj Ducky  – clapsticks[3]

Discography

Nitmiluk (1990) - CAAMA

Midnait Mujik (1990) - CAAMA

Come-N-Dance (1993) - CAAMA

Tracks:

1. Black Cockatoo
2. Come N Dance
3. Drangkinbala
4. Children of the World
5. Love is a Beautiful Thing
6. Come N Dance (radio mix)
7. Farewell

Blekbala Mujik (May 1996) CAAMA/Shock Records

Tracks:

1. Mimi - Wajbagada
2. Walking Together
3. Drangkinbala
4. Buffalo Stampede
5. Don't Worry Just Be Happy
6. Come n Dance
7. White Cockatoo
8. Mibala Yubala
9. Mimi
10. Walls
11. One More Story
12. Farewell

Walking Together (1995) - CAAMA

Tracks:

1. Walking Together - Radio Mix
2. Walking Together - Full Mix
3. Walking Together - Instrumental
4. Walking Together - U.S. Mix
5. Buffalo Stampede (Traditional)

Awards

• 1996 Aria Award nomination for Best Indigenous Release[5]
• 1996 Deadly Sounds Album of the Year

Bibliography

Blekbala Mujik have been cited in numerous articles on Indigenous Australian music.

References

1. 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.
2. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Blekbala Mujik'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 28 August 2004.
3. Korff, Jens. "Blekbala Mujik – Discography". Creative Spirits. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
4. "Winners by Year 1996". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
5. Aria Awards Archived May 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Blek Bala Mujiks award history

External links

• Promotion of Arnhem Land Music