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The Other Caribbean: CD Review
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The Beat, The Other Caribbean: CD Review >>
You may recall the name Andy Palacio as synonymous with the punta rock movement of the '90s, that super-fast Honduran export that blended a number of world music influences prevalent at the time like merengue, zouk and soca. His new album Watina (Cumbancha) goes back to the roots of the Garifuna culture as it has survived in Belize. Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala. It is significant that the album's cover photo is of Andy poised at the fork of a country road, guitar in hand like a modern-day Robert Johnson, about to take one path but looking steadfastly at the other. Perhaps the image is reflective of his choice of musical direction on this release.
The Garifuna arc descendants of shipwrecked African slaves and Carib Indians, a blending of cultures that has remained intact despite years of colonialism and forced displacement from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. With the Garifuna Collective, a community of musicians that grew out of Stonetree Records, and a guest appearance from paranda legend Paul Nabor (who penned the cut "Ayo Da"), this disc is a celebration of that culture and at the same time a gesture to en sure its continued survival. It is guided through out by Palacio's earthy, raspy vocals on some haunting melodies, each of which is based on traditional Garifuna rhythm and sung in its endangered Arawak-rooted language, that seem to reflect so resonantly this culture's unique makeup.
The cuts arc consistent in their production quality, organic in their instrumentation (acoustic guitars, bass and percussion) and riveting in their emotional intensity. One could point to examples like "Baba" or "Miami," but really there are several equally excellent tracks to choose from. This album would have easily made my Top 10 of 2006 list, but due to its upcoming re lease date it will have to wait to be on next year's. 03/01/07
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