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In January 2006, forty-three refugees in a traditional canoe landed on the coast of Australia with a banner stating the Indonesian military was carrying out a genocide in Papua.

While their bid for asylum and to raise the plight of West Papuans to the eyes of the world caught media attention briefly it was soon forgotten.

Merdeka is the widely-used Malayan word for independence being used in terms of gaining independence from the brutality of the Indonesian army and the apt title of this awareness-raising and rather surprising album.

You may have come across the Merdeka events around London over the past year at Brixton’s Jamm raising awareness about the plight of West Papuans.

‘Guit Save Papua’ sets out the plea, to stop the killings and this is followed by tracks by artists from seventeen countries including Brazil, Madagascar, Norway, Japan and Romania.

But whatever else it is, Merdeka is a great introduction to some artists who may have evaded your radar so far, on Dancing Turtle. Highlights are Amycabe’s ‘Yellow Suit’, the infectious Brazilian rhythms on Ohayo Samba’s duet ‘Brazil Yori’ and the energetic ‘Who Warms the Sun’ by Max White.

Dominic Kakoobango’s jazz organ gets deep and dirty with some funky driving bass on ‘Ubukwa’ proving this is an album with hidden depths, and the guiding theme of the album is rather the musicians’ support for the cause than any musical theme, it means there’s something to float your boat here. Dance sits next to house, sits next to chants and samba.

Money raised from the CD released on Dancing Turtle Records is being used to support West Papuan refugees.

Links:
Merdeka is being sold through Dancing Turtle’s site.
Short films about West Papua’s bid for independence.
Dancing Turtle Records.
www.freewestpapua.org
Free West Papua Campaign
West Papua news updates