Various Artists: The Key Of Sea Volume 2

- The Key of Sea Volume 2 brings together some of Australia’s finest established artists and musicians who have brought their musical heritage from across the oceans seeking a better life. It follows on from the successful release of Volume 1 back in 2010, and aims to showcase the musical talents of these extraordinary Australians.
The album includes contributions from Paul Kelly, Lanie Lane, Jinja Safari, The Tiger and Me, Sietta and many more. According to the masterminds behind the project, The Key Of Sea Volume 2 is, “an articulation of shared values and a testament to what can be achieved when people with vastly different backgrounds set their minds to the creation of beautiful things.
The first track, ‘Silence of the Guns’ is an upbeat collaboration between Jinja Safari and Kinfe. It makes light of the ridiculous politically motivated notion that there is ‘no more room’ in Australia for refugees. The track also features members of the Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning Program.

Paul Kelly appears on the album with The Cambodian Space Project for the track aptly titled, ‘The Boat.’ It includes some deeply moving spoken lyrics, on the subject of the plight of asylum seekers and incorporates both English and Cambodian phrases.

Chet Faker and The Royal Swazi Spa’s collaboration, ‘Fear Like You’ draws heavily on jazz influences, with an enjoyable uplifting and free flowing vibe throughout. The double bass is a particularly strong aspect of the track and generally enhances the overall sound that the artists have produced.
The real strength of this album lies in the individuality of each track. Every collaboration is a unique musical experience, enhanced by the stories of the struggles and triumphs that these newly arrived Australians have contributed to the project. This diverse album has a quirky, experimental vibe that manages to sustain interest throughout and overall is surprisingly smooth given the wide range of talents and sounds used.
All profits from the album will be distributed amongst the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Human Rights Arts and Film Festival and The Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning Program. The Key Of Sea Volume 2 really is music making a tangible difference in the world.

- Clare Armstrong.