In Australia, a songman is a revered tribal member who is the custodian of the songs and stories of the Dreamtime, the energetic plane that precedes earthly manifestation. The seed for this album was planted when New York-based Australian musician/composer Nomad (a.k.a Adam Plack) was moved to tears at a performance by Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil’s Tribal Dance Group. Gulpilil later invited Plack to the Ramingining community in Australia to live, write, and record music under the stars. Joined by Aboriginal songmen Bobby Bunnungurr and Jimmy Jidamin, this tour-de-force release features tribal chant, hypnotic didjeridu, and the eclectic arrangements that are Plack’s signature. With the approval of tribal elders, he translated tribal chants into English, creating new songs that retain the spirit and intention of the original. Playing more than ten instruments on the release, including didjeridu, piano, and classical guitar, Plack fashions sultry grooves, edges up to swank, and awakens magical songs of Dreamtime. - Peggy Randall