Monday, September 16, 2013

CD Review: Belize's Lebeha Boys' 'Lebeha Drumming'

Lebeha Boys
Lebeha Drumming
Self-Release

Belize is known for a traditional drum music tied to the Garifuna music traditions. These traditions bring together African, Caribbean, and South American Indian flavors to the music. This is mostly a drumming release with wood hand-drums, shakers, and background vocalizations. The rhythms are intense and punchy. There are eight tracks that feature a mix of turtle shells, primero drums, shakas, and segunda drums. The percussion accompaniments resemble a carnival-esque atmosphere with everyone having fun and enjoying the music-making process. This is a release by the Lebeha Drumming Center in Hopkins Village, Belize from 2005. All instruments and vocals are performed by Garifuna youth. These are the roots that gave the late-Andy Palacio worldwide fame. Fans of traditional drumming recordings will love this--especially fans of Babatunde Olatunji. Own a piece of musical history today! ~ Matthew Forss

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