Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective

When Jen and I first moved here, we lived where Perla Escondida is now in a little cabana. We left the windows open at night and as we lay in bed one night, I heard drums ..not a drum kit but the sounds of ancient drums--then the call and response of a small but raukus group singing to the drums. I looked over in the dark and said, "Can you hear that?" ""Yeah," Jen said..."lets go investigate!" (Crashing parties is acceptable in most cases here in San Pedro, you see) We found a party at the Black & White bar, then a hang-out for Garifuna living on the island. They accepted us and encouraged us to dance along with them. We did. (They wanted me to drum, but I declined, they would have kicked us out after my set, for sure)The songs sound ancient, but the young and old all know the words. The Garifuna Collective is a piece of Belizean history for your ears."Years in the making, Wátina is infused with contemporary influences, yet firmly rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Garifuna culture. Belizean icon, Andy Palacio, leads an all-star, multi-generational lineup to deliver a monumental tribute to the Garifuna of yesterday and tomorrow." RIYL: african, blues, cuban, caribbean, reggae, The Buena Vista Social Club hit "stonetreerecords":http://www.stonetreerecords.com/albums/watina.php to read the details and hear clips of the whole thing. Here's a particularly nice one for my peoples:Gaganbadibá (take advice)