Tribal Voice

Yothu Yindi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 28, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B000000OBT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,309 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Gapu

2. Treaty

3. Dharpa (Tree)

4. Tribal Voice

5. Dhum Dhum (Bush Wallaby)

6. Mätjala (Driftwood)

7. Mainstream

8. Yinydjapana (Dolphin)

9. Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming)

10. Hope

11. Gapirri (Stingray)

12. Beyarrmak (Comic)

13. Treaty [Filthy Lucre Radio Mix]

Editorial Reviews

The release of Tribal Voice marked an important step in the development of Australian music. It was the first time that an Aboriginal recording artist had received serious public recognition, to the extent that a song from this album, "Treaty," became an Australian hit. Yothu Yindi's music is a strange mixture of influences, ranging from the haunting traditional instruments and singing on tracks like "Gapu," to the modern rock of "Treaty" and "Tribal Voice." This range of styles serves to encompass all facets of the Aboriginal experience: reminders of the Aboriginal heritage, pleas to young Aborigines to maintain their links with their culture, and political protest over the controversial question of land rights (as previously tackled by Midnight Oil on Diesel and Dust). This album proved successful thanks to the release of a remixed version of "Treaty" (also included here), but it also provided the impetus for other Aboriginal performers - Archie Roach, Kev Carmody and Ruby Hunter, to name a few - to receive serious media attention. There are criticisms of Tribal Voice, though. The traditional songs are stunning, and Mandawuy Yunupingu's voice is suited perfectly to these, but it is the rock tracks that are the weak links in this disc. Yunupingu is not a particularly good pop singer, and the music is sometimes insipid; it seems unlikely that "Treaty" would have become a successful single in its original form. Despite this, Tribal Voice is a fine example of both traditional and modern Aboriginal music. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch, March 7, 2001

By 

Edward Bosnar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tribal Voice (Audio CD)

Yothu Yindicannot be put into the watered-down, new-age inspired "world music" category despite the aboriginal background of most band members. There are no synthesizers backing up a few notes on some "indigenous" instruments here; "Tribal Voice" is not easy listening. Instead, it's hard-hitting, full-throttle rock, with a powerful merger of aboriginal (esp. the didgeridoo) and more conventional instruments. The result is some really fresh and unique music that can't quite be compared to anything else - not even fellow Aussie rockers Midnight Oil, even though their political stance is quite similar. Yothu Yindi has done a great job of skillfully melding traditional sounds with rock and a relevant message.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! KOORI (ABORIGINAL) POWER ALL THE WAY!!!!!!, October 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tribal Voice Album (Audio CD)

Wow! You seriously don't want to miss this. If there's one band that deserves a millenium reward it's Yothu Yindi. Never in my life have I heard such powerful fusion of techno, rock and traditional Yolngu music. Just breathless and overjoyed is the state in which you will be with just one listen to this album. With powerful, meaningful lyrics, you learn about Koori culture and dance your way into where you desire most! With every listen there's never a dull moment. Totally unique! This ain't no cheesy pop music. This is the long awaited good stuff the world of music seriously needs! "Treaty" will teach you about Koori survival as well as give you a beat to tap your toes to! "Djapana" will do just the same! And if you're the techno type then just groove to "treaty (radio mix)" and shake your groove thang! Believe you me, you don't want to miss this. A culture of over 40 000 years can groove just as well as the next Will Smith or Madonna. They proove that the universal language of every man, woman and child's heart is music, love for oneself and family as well as friends and land. BELIEVE me this is not the cheesy stuff! You are absolutely right Geoff! They rock! Aboriginal Rock!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tribal Voice - Yothu Yindi, November 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tribal Voice (Audio CD)

I heard them play at the Closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics.. they are a great group and could be used to promote tribal music all over the world.. This is a great CD .. would recommend to all!!!