Search - Yothu Yindi :: Freedom

Hypnotic and enchanting

Pieter | Johannesburg | 07/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was Yothu Yindi's third album, after Homeland Movement and the popular Tribal Voices that gave then the two hits Treaty and Tribal Voice. The band's pulsating drone with its funky beats sounds a bit more polished here, as on the tracks Timeless Land, Back To Culture and World Of Innocence.



The main themes are the spiritual connection with the land, nature, tradition and sacred ritual, especially on tracks such as Gapu, Milika and Gany' Tjurr. Neil Finn of Crowded House contributes to the song Dots On The Shells whilst Andrew Farris of INXS helps out on Our Generation, contributing to the album's stylistic variety.



This album also contains reworkings of two tracks from their first album: Yolngu Boy and the title track. The sound is positive and uplifting and successfully blends ancient instruments with cutting edge production for a most appealing funky drone. I highly recommend Freedom and Tribal Voice as Yothu Yindi's most rewarding albums, offering great melodies and exotic but accessible sounds.

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