Sounds abound from the sea.

• Author: Holston, Mark
• Position: MUSIC NOTES - Caribbean music - Sound recording review

Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective Watina (Cumbancha CMB-CD-3)

In all of the Caribbean, there are few societies more distinct--and today more endangered-than the Garifuna culture that exists in isolated pockets along the Central American coast, from Belize to Nicaragua. Descendents of shipwrecked African slaves, the Garifuna people today struggle to maintain their centuries-old linguistic and cultural traditions. Belize-born singer, composer, drummer, and guitarist Andy Palacio has been honored in his homeland by being named to head the National Institute of Culture and History and serve as a Belizean cultural ambassador.

Watina, Palacio's much-heralded new release, far transcends its customary function as a sound recording designed to provide a high level of entertainment value. With a lavish and detailed accompanying booklet and several superbly produced video segments featured on the enhanced CD, the production serves as a much needed introduction to Garifuna traditions. Palacio and his cohorts perform in their expressive and entrancing native tongue, singing with natural sincerity while animating their heartfelt renditions with polyrhythmic hand drumming and undulating guitar accompaniment. Much like the Buena Vista Social Club recordings reawakened an interest in vintage Cuban styles a decade ago, Watina should give Palacio and the Garifuna culture the attention they deserve.

Henri Salvador Raverence (Circular Moves CIM 7025)

Considering his humble beginnings in former French Guyana, singer, composer, and guitarist Henri Salvador's accomplishments are truly remarkable. Born in Cayenne in 1917, the child of French and Afro-Caribbean parents, Salvador immersed himself in music when his family moved to Paris when he was seven years old. What followed was a successful career that included stints as a sideman, orchestra leader, and television personality. His climb to international fame began in when he performed in Brazil in the 1940s and appeared on the US television showcase, The Ed Sullivan Show, in 1956. It is believed that Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim's concept for his revolutionary bossa nova style was abetted by the Brazilian's exposure to Salvador's recording of his song "Darts mon ile" from the 1957 French film Europa Di Notte.

During Salvador's four year tenure in Brazil in the 1940s, he cultivated a fondness of Brazilian music and fostered friendships with composers Ary Barosso and Dorival Caymmi. The 89 year-old...