"Vintage" release by indigenous music centre

CD cover design from artwork by Conrad Blackman.
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From left: Students Steve Allen and Wayne Bright with CASM lecturer Grayson Rotumah and studio engineer Bob Roper.
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Wednesday, 16 May 2001

Australia's leading tertiary music school for indigenous students has launched its first annual in-house CD production.

The CD, compiled by the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) at Adelaide University, contains 16 tracks of locally produced indigenous contemporary music, with performances and compositions by students and staff.

At CASM, students not only learn the skills to develop their musical talent, but also gain experience of performance and recording at CASM's own professional studio.

For its first CD, CASM has chosen a selection of songs recorded during 1999. With the label CASM Showcase 1999, the CD presents an excellent music vintage, in much the same way that winemakers label their product.

"Ninety-nine was an important year for CASM and the University," says Mr Jardine Kiwat, CASM lecturer and coordinator of the CD production. "At the time we were celebrating the University's 125th year, and it was also the eve of CASM's 25th anniversary. When you include the fact that it was also the new millennium just around the corner, it was a big year for us."

The title of the CD is also a celebration of CASM's annual Showcase Performance, which is held at the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute ­ Tandanya. In recent years Tandanya has provided much support for CASM's music and dance performances.

The songs on CASM Showcase 1999 range across a variety of musical styles, from contemporary traditional to country, rock, and the newer indigenous styles. Included are solo artists and bands, the well-known CASM choir Keriba Wakai, and the staff band Trochus.

"This recording reflects the breadth and depth of talent at CASM," Mr Kiwat says. "Our studio is dedicated to the recording of indigenous artists and is already becoming recognised as a recording centre and central production house in South Australia for indigenous musicians and organisations."

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