Muruch

Andy Palacio is a singer-songwriter from Belize whose music blends African, Latin, and Caribbean influences. On Wátina, Palacio celebrates the Garifuna culture of Central America with the help of Garifuna musicians from Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Each track on the disc is based on a traditional Garifuna rhythm and sung in the Garifuna language. The enhanced CD includes a “making of” video and a colourful 32-page booklet of lyrics and photographs, with details of both the history of the Garifuna as well as the slow death of their culture in modern times due to globalization.

The title track “Wátina” (I Called Out) has a soft Afro-Caribbean rhythm that compliments Andy’s rich voice. “Weyu Lárigi Weyu” (Day By Day) is inspired by dügü, traditional ritual music asking for blessings, guidance, strength, and healing. The song begins with a more somber sound, then mixes bluesy acoustics with hand claps and chants.

The catchy “Miami” has a stronger Latin flavour and addresses land ownership disputes in the coastal communities of Honduras. The religious song “Baba” (Father) was composed by Garifuna songwriter Adrian Martinez, and pairs a wailing lead vocal with a gospel style choir. The moody percussion of “Gaganbadibá” (Take Advice) pays tribute to the Garifuna tradition of raising children as a community.

The saucy “Beiba” (Go Away) blends bluesy guitar, exotic percussion, horns, and an eclectic mix of other instruments in a cautionary tale of excessive partying. “Sin Precio” (Worthless) is performed in a slower paranda style, laced with the soft vibration of Dobro.

Garifuna legend Paul Nabor guests on the poignant “Ayó Da” (“Goodbye”), a song he wrote 60 years ago about the death of a friend’s son during a fishing trip. The finale “Ámuñegü” (In Times To Come) is a call for the preservation of the Garifuna culture.

Andy Palacio – Weyu Lárigi Weyu (mp3)
Andy Palacio – Miami (mp3)
Andy Palacio – Beiba (mp3)

Andy Palacio on MySpace
Buy the CD or Mp3s