Jessica Mauboy is a ray of light. We met her on a singing show more than a decade ago and since then she’s been flat out being a renaissance woman with a helluva big voice. I’ve wanted to do a Take 5 with Jess for years; she’s one of those people you just want to spend time with. Her beautiful energy sucks you in and charms the heck out of you. She’s also always struck me as incredibly grounded; through all of the twists and turns in her life as a pop star, Jess has kept her feet on the ground. That ground is often her home town of Darwin where, away from the cameras and stages, she can unwind with her sisters and parents. Just be Jess. Darwin is also the home of the National Indigenous Music Awards: an annual celebration of the best in First Nations music. Jess was due to headline the event, and the day before she joined me to Take 5 with her songlines. She came up with the theme; Jess wanted to talk about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists who had inspired her, and led a path for her own creative life. Across legends and new voices alike, the connection Jess has and the places she takes you on this Take 5 is something else. Head to the Top End with a legend.

Yothu Yindi - 'Djapana'

Christine Anu - 'Party'

Baker Boy - 'Marryuna (ft Yirrmal)'

Thelma Plum – 'Better in Blak'

Gurrumul – 'Bapa'