Telek is the debut studio album by Papua New Guinean musician George Telek. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997, the album was nominated for ARIA Award for Best World Music Album and Best Indigenous Release, winning the former.[1]

Telek
Studio album by
Released1997 (1997)
LabelORIGiN
ProducerDavid Bridie, John Phillips and George Telek
George Telek chronology
Tabaran
(1990)
Telek
(1997)
Serious Tam
(2000)

Reception edit

Lesley Sly of Rolling Stone called the album "a mixed bag of traditional songs, rock and stringband music" saying "Whether in sparse semi-acoustic settings, chanting over pounding and complex percussion, or telling stories in fields of ambience, Telek is compelling." calling the album "One of the best 'world' releases, so far this year."[2]

Bruce Elder of the Sydney Morning Herald said, "The magic of this recording lies in the way it mixes traditional and contemporary sounds. It is a triumphant celebration of the ower and beauty of Telek's songwriting and singing." Elder called it "a crime that world music fans in Australia have ignored the music of our immediate area" adding "there is still no truly well-produced recording of the harmonising of choirs from Fiji or the Cook Islands. This marvellous record should go a long way to putting Papua New Guinea on the international music map."[2]

Track listing edit

  1. "Apinpidik"
  2. "Go Long We Long Bush" {featuring Archie Roach)
  3. "Iamagit"
  4. "Waligur Iau"
  5. "Desi"
  6. "Melbourne City"
  7. "iwarwatut Papa"
  8. "Lili"
  9. "Abebe"
  10. "Midal"
  11. "Talaigu"
  12. "Anoro"
  13. "Ririwon"
  14. "Unlisted Track"

Release history edit

Region Date Format Label Catalogue
Australia 1997
ORIGiN OR030

References edit

  1. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "News". Telek. Retrieved 26 April 2020.