Blekbala Mujik


Blekbala Mujik 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. The band sings in English and in Kriol. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 their album, Blekbala Mujik, was nominated for Best Indigenous Release.

History

Blekbala Mujik were formed in 1986 in the rural community of Barunga 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. 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 and, in 1990, they issued two albums, Nitmiluk and Midnait Mujik. In 1993 they issued a seven-track cassette, Come-N-Dance. In May 1996 they followed with their eponymous full length album, Blekbala Mujik, via CAAMA and distributed by Shock Records, which Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described as "a mix of catchy Aboriginal pop, reggae, techno-tribal dance material and bright funky rock." At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 in September, Blekbala Mujik was nominated for Best Indigenous Release.
Alongside Miller other members have included Dwayne Billy on percussion, Johnny Blanasi on lead guitar, Jason Fuller on percussion, Lachlan Gela Lawrence on bass guitar and vocals, Wayne Kala Kala on drums, Allen Murphy on drums, Lazarus Murray on yidaki and Thomas Valandhu on drums. In June 1997 they issued "Walking Together" as a CD single. In February 2013 they issued a new album, We Are One, and followed with a compilation, live album, Greatest Hits Live, in September 2014.

Band members

Nitmiluk - CAAMA
Midnait Mujik - CAAMA
Come-N-Dance - 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
  7. Farewell
Blekbala Mujik 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 - 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

    Awards