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National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

West Papua (Merdeka Mix) by George Telek

2010

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West Papua (Merdeka Mix) by George Telek

2010

  • NFSA IDNC0B9HWB
  • TypeMusic and Sound Recordings
  • MediumAudio
  • FormMusic
  • GenresFolk music, Popular music
  • Year2010

George Telek Mamua MBE, commonly known simply as Telek, is a celebrated Papua New Guinean musician and singer. This excerpt of the track 'West Papua (Merdeka Mix)' is drawn from Telek's 2010 album Akave, which was produced with long-time collaborator David Bridie.

Reflecting the collaborative spirit that marks his career, this upbeat remix sees Telek in partnership with a new generation of PNG artists including producer Airi Ingram, soul singer Ngaiire Joseph and Lea Rumwaropen. Telek's diverse and experimental musical identity can be heard in the blend of lush traditional melodies, island reggae and contemporary flourishes, which coalesce into a tok pisin freedom song for a modern audience.

Telek sang with various bands in PNG early in his career, including Tolai group Painim Wok. In the late 1980s, Telek and other PNG musicians worked with Australian band Not Drowning, Waving on the album Tabaran (1990), which was nominated for the 1992 ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release. In 1997, Telek released his self-titled solo debut, which won the ARIA Award for Best World Music Album. He has since released eight albums, many with Wantok Musik, which aims to foster various cultural exchanges between Australia and our neighbours throughout Oceania.

'West Papua (Merdeka Mix)' was later featured in the soundtrack for the 2012 ABC TV drama The Straits.

George Telek Mamua MBE, commonly known simply as Telek, is a celebrated Papua New Guinean musician and singer. This excerpt of the track 'West Papua (Merdeka Mix)' is drawn from Telek's 2010 album Akave, which was produced with long-time collaborator David Bridie.

Reflecting the collaborative spirit that marks his career, this upbeat remix sees Telek in partnership with a new generation of PNG artists including producer Airi Ingram, soul singer Ngaiire Joseph and Lea Rumwaropen. Telek's diverse and experimental musical identity can be heard in the blend of lush traditional melodies, island reggae and contemporary flourishes, which coalesce into a tok pisin freedom song for a modern audience.

Telek sang with various bands in PNG early in his career, including Tolai group Painim Wok. In the late 1980s, Telek and other PNG musicians worked with Australian band Not Drowning, Waving on the album Tabaran (1990), which was nominated for the 1992 ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release. In 1997, Telek released his self-titled solo debut, which won the ARIA Award for Best World Music Album. He has since released eight albums, many with Wantok Musik, which aims to foster various cultural exchanges between Australia and our neighbours throughout Oceania.

'West Papua (Merdeka Mix)' was later featured in the soundtrack for the 2012 ABC TV drama The Straits.

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