Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's family and collaborators recently joined forces to uphold his legacy through a posthumous album, Banbirrngu – The Orchestral Sessions.

The blind Gumatj man from Arnhem Land was recognised for his extraordinary voice, and sang mostly in Yolngu languages.

His passing in 2017 left a gap in Australian music, but his influence endures through these new orchestral arrangements of his most cherished works.

Mr Don Wininba Ganambarr, Gurrumul's brother-in-law, bore the responsibility for cultural and family matters.

He explained that the family continued using Gurrumul's name because he was "always concentrating on Yolngu music, to bring that music to wider Australia."

"That is why, when he died, the family said, 'We may as well use his name.'"

Mr Michael Hohnen, Gurrumul's long-time friend, producer, and double bass player, oversaw the album's production.

He recalled Gurrumul's habit of calling home from overseas hotels.

"He'd go to sleep with it (his phone) on, because there was always ceremony in the background."

Mr Hohnen said this showed how central Gurrumul's culture and family were to his life.

Mr Ganambarr noted the songs' deep roots.

"Some of the songs go back thousands of years."

"I know exactly what words he is using to sing 'Baru (Crocodile),'" Ganambarr said.

"When I hear it, I can feel it - hear him touch my heart."

The orchestral arrangements are by Finnish-Australian composer Mr Erkki Veltheim, recorded by the Prague Metropolitan Orchestra under Mr Jan Chalupecký.

The album reimagines favourites such as 'Bapa,' 'Wiyathul,' and 'Banbirrngu,' which Hohnen describes as representing a cycle of Gurrumul's life and musical journey.

"It offers a new perspective on Gurrumul's early offerings to us," Mr Hohnen said.

Ganambarr shared a fond memory of Gurrumul's insistence on having others debone his fish.

"The funniest moment I had with Gurrumul, I was eating a fish, a Trevally, Gurrumul said, 'Can you leave me some fish?' So I gave him some fish."

"And he said, 'Can you take all the bones out?' And I said, 'Hey Gurrumul, can you feel the bones then take the bones out, then eat?'"

"He even used to say, 'You're not killing me!'"

During his career, Gurrumul collaborated with prominent artists such as Sting, Missy Higgins, Thelma Plum, Mr Paul Kelly, and A.B. Original.

He also performed at celebrated venues like Carnegie Hall.

Audiences often praised his stripped-back performances, but Mr Hohnen remembered how Gurrumul sometimes requested bigger ensembles.

"He was always saying, 'I want to have more people behind me,'" Mr Hohnen said.

Posthumous releases can face scrutiny, but Mr Hohnen emphasised that Gurrumul's family guided this project.

"His voice and repertoire are still so powerful, and now they can be rediscovered in a fresh light."

Ganambarr agreed, saying the family asked for these new orchestral recordings, believing they honour Gurrumul's wish to share Yolngu music beyond Arnhem Land.

Banbirrngu – The Orchestral Sessions is available in digital, vinyl, and CD formats.

Through newly realised arrangements and personal insights, it reinforces Gurrumul's enduring status as one of Australia's most treasured voices.