Description
George Mamua Telek, or Telek as he is known to his legion of fans throughout the world, has long been at the forefront of Papua New Guinea’s modern music.
In Kambek, Telek applies his hauntingly beautiful voice to traverse many musical styles and capture the spirit of the Tolai people. The album blends contemporary with Melanesian rhythms: the music enriched with island harmonies and textured environmental sounds.
Through his original work with the Tolai village-based Moab Stringband, the legendary 1980’s rock band Painim Wok, his many collaborations with eminent Australian musicians Kev Carmody, David Bridie and the late Archie Roach, as well as his solo output, Telek has long been one of the most important performers in the Pacific region.
The album revolves around Telek’s unique vocal sound and style and is complete with lush Melanesian harmonies and instrumentation that provide a joyous underlay. A great example of how Telek believes in the power of song is the album opener, Noken Paitim Meri (No Violence Against Women). This is a potent ballad in which Telek states directly to Papua New Guinean men that domestic violence is abhorrent and acceptable under no circumstances. The vocal is yearning and heartfelt, the chorus epic.
