Rare Earth Records

Fire in the flame….

by BambiZilla

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This number is for all you math loving penguin freaks who happen to channel a bit of Jamaica here and there….

Yes matey that’s you! This one was hard for me. Rap is not my natural thing, but you know the world wants what the world wants. Comment on the track if you dare or care…

Dance about your life and your living room..!

p.s. I love elipsyses… … … … … … …

Positive hip-hop has been facilitating Indigenous community development programs with the Liverpool school, Western Sydney.

Finke community development

Finke Freestylers - Rare Earth TV Hip hop music video from community development projects in the Indigenous community of Finke (Aputula) Northern Territory, Australia in 2007. All music and lyrics written by the Finke upper primary class and Thomas Stuart, Indigenous Youth Worker. This project would not have possible without the help of Jane and Peter from the Finke school, CAYLUS, Multi Vision Media and Rare Earth Foundation.

Tjupi Band is an is a Central Australian Indigenous band from the community of Papunya, Northern Territory. They sing in Luritja and English and play desert reggae.[1] The lineup changes depending on who is available and can include Barnabus Daniels, Sammy Butcher, Jeremiah Butcher, Jason Butcher (from Spin.FX), Malcolm Karpa (from Spin.FX), Esau Marshall (from Spin.FX), Dwayne Abbott, Ethan McDonald, Samuel Inkamala, George Butcher and Peter Lowson. Tjupi Band were featured on an episode of triple j tv’s The Hack Half Hour which covered an annual Alice Springs concert, the Bush Bands Bash.

Tjupi (Honey Ant) come from the Papunya region 250 – 300k north west of Alice Springs. Tjupi Band members are made up of fellas with strong country and family ties right across the region including Mt Leibig, Kintore, Haasts Bluff, Kiwikurra communities. The main language spoken in this area is Luritja and this is the language used to perform their songs.

Papunya is the main base for Tjupi Band activity; Papunya is place with a rich music tradition. It is the home community of Sammy Butcher, mentor for musicians throughout the region. Sammy, who is famous as lead guitar for the Warumpi Band, has been a major influence in the development of contemporary indigenous music; his skill as a guitarist has been emulated by many but not matched, by any. He has encouraged the establishment of a recording studio in Papunya which has led to various independent productions and contributed generally to the fertile music environment of Papunya.

The sound of Tjupi, in many ways epitomizes Central Australia desert reggae – sparse upbeat, driving kick and snare, in-language; the songs are about loneliness for country, love lost, listening to elders, following tradition, social issues, skin pride, tribal unity.

The Tjupi line up is variable, it depends on who is ‘on the road’, ‘in town’, ‘playing football’; mainly, Tjupi includes a preponderance of members of the Butcher family. A typical set up includes Barnabus Daniels (vox, keys, rhythm), Sammy Butcher (lead, keyboards, bass, drums), Jeremiah Butcher (drums), Jason Butcher (drums).

BAND MEMBERS:
Jason Butcher Lead Guitar
Malcolm Karpa Rhythm Guitar
Jeremiah Butcher Keyboard
Dwayne Abbott Vocals
Barnabus Danials Vocals
Ethan McDonald Vocals
Samual Inkamala Drums
George Butcher Bass Guitar

You know when MC Shureshock in is the house. With total command over the mic, its nothing for him to get a room full of people hanging on his every word. Unflappable as an MC, he always knows exactly what to say.

A professional MC since 1990, Shureshock aka Cameron James Brown has MCed to practically any genre of music you care to mention. Hes rocked hardcore scenes, drum n bass nights, hip hop jams, house parties, live bands and so much more. Having worked it as the front man for new wave Aussie collective Zephyr Timbre, Shureshocks no stranger to working with a full band, either. Working the festival scene, Zephyr Timbre is probably most well-known for its support of Jamiroquai on his 2002 tour. Nowadays, however, its breakbeat thats getting the Shureshock touch.

Part of a formidable team with Australias ..1 DJ, Kid Kenobi, Shureshock has taken his MCing on tours through Europe twice. His inimitable style translates not only across genres but across cultures, with Asian tours in 2005 adding to the extensive list of international dates for the self-styled MC. Its impossible to pinpoint exactly what it is about Shureshock thats so pleasing to the ear. Perhaps its his ability to flit from genre to genre so seamlessly. Perhaps its the experience hes accrued as both an MC and as a writer. Maybe its how he can go from a shout to a whisper to a song within a heartbeat. Or maybe its just his flow smooth and smart and a different breed entirely to that of your run-of-the-mill hollering hype-man.

Whatever it is, Shureshock’s style has won him not only thousands of fans but a worldwide first. Shureshock is the only MC to appear on a Ministry of Sound compilation ever! MCing alongside Kid Kenobi on the Clubbers Guide to Breaks the pair are as dynamic on disc as they are on the dancefloor, bringing the standard of mix compilations to a whole other level. Called upon for collaboration by both Australian and international artists, Shureshock has worked with a stellar cast of musicians. From BeXta, DB Chills, Greg Packer, to big wigs Fat Boy Slim, Krafty Kuts, The Stanton Warriors, Goldie, Freq Nasty & The Crystal Method, his talents are in no way bound by genre or border.

Be prepared to hear a lot more Shureshock, both as a live MC and a recording artist. His years of performing and perfecting have moulded an innovative, intelligent artist one who, for all his achievements, is yet to reach the prime of his career.