CD Review: Aurelio's 'Landini'

Aurelio
Landini
Real World

Garifuna singer and cultural ambassador, Aurelio Martinez, shares the music of Honduras through his Garifuna people for people everywhere. The music encompasses the traditions of Indian, African, and Caribbean roots, while English, French, and Spanish influences arrived later. Landini is an album of true authenticity devoted to Garifuna music about the life and culture of the region. The recording was actually recorded at Stonetree Records in Belize. The dozen tracks represent a musically-complex arrangement of songs that draw upon many different cultures and influences, which makes this recording a must-have. The mix of guitars, percussion, strings, and various intonations makes Landini a pivotal and recommended recording of a rare musical style. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Garifuna Collective Releases 'Ayo'

The Garifuna Collective
Ayo
Stonetree/Cumbancha

With the release of Watina several years ago with the late-Andy Palacio, The Garifuna Collective took the world by storm with infectious grooves, South American rhythms, and Afro-Amerindian cultural influences. Thanks to Belizean producer, musician, and label founder, Ivan Duran, The Garifuna Collective is still a reality today. There are twelve tracks on the new album inspired by a new generation for the future. "Ayo," "Ubou," "Mongulu," "Dungua," "Pomona," and "Alagan" are especially enthralling. Though, anyone with an interest in Garifuna music, Afro-Amerindian music, Belizean music, and world music in general, will find Ayo to be a very emotive, upbeat, and graceful album. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kobo Town's Trinidadian Rumblings On 'Jumbie In The Jukebox'

Kobo Town
Jumbie In The Jukebox
Stonetree/Cumbancha

Canadian transplant and Trinidadian native, Drew Gonsalves, brings us a rousing mix of calypso, reggae, acoustic, and island music rhythms on Jumbie In The Jukebox. There is an element of nostalgic fusion, jazz, lounge, and classical music, which blends perfectly with the calypso and roots percussion and beats. One hip hop and ska-inspired tune, "Postcard Poverty," is a bit punchy, jazzy, and urban overall. Don't worry; it's hip hop for the whole family. There are punchy dancehall tunes, mellow grooves, intelligent lyrics, and dub-influenced sounds that incorporate a bit of everything from Portuguese rhythms, Congolese guitar riffs, Caribbean dance elements, and calypso-roots music. Each tune is different and present something very likable. Anyone interested in calypso-inspired tunes will love Kobo Town's latest offering. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Danny Michel With The Garifuna Collective's 'Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me'

Danny Michel w/The Garifuna Collective
Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me
Stonetree/Cumbancha

Canada's Danny Michel joins The Garifuna Collective to bring a funky, blues, and rock infused mix of music to the Belize-born collective. The rhythmic percussion, sparkling guitars, and swaying vocals weave around a Caribbean-inspired and California-like pop-rock idiom to form a sensational product of musical creativity. Something that is rather unusual is the fact the songs are mainly in English. Thankfully, Folks like Danny Michel, the Lebeha Drumming Center, and Jacob Edgar at Cumbancha want to preserve the magical sounds of Belize's best kept musical secret that can now be found in performances and airwaves around the world. Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me is an album with ten songs that seem to touch on folk/pop and blues music with some world fusion thrown in for good measure. Fans of a little blues, folk, and world fusion with good beats and catchy melodies will love the latest release from Cumbancha. ~ Matthew Forss