Video: Special Preview: "Umalali: Songs of Garifuna Women"

"> One thing I love about World Music is not only the diversity of the music itself and the constantly expanding root system that is continually influencing the different facets of itself like a 3-D sphere of complicated electrical circuitry, but the fact that it sometimes (assuming you can understand it) has a sobering story to tell, often folkloric and survival based. I recently bought a CD entitled "Umalali" The Garifuna Women's project . It is the singing/storytelling of the Garifuna people, descendants of Nigerian slaves, [...]

• Umalali, The Garifuna Women's Project - ... »
• Umalali, The Garifuna Women's Project - ... » 02Merua.mp3

The momentum of the Garifuna resurgence took a hit with the untimely death of cultural ambassador Andy Palacio in January 2008. Now the movement is continuing without him...and because of him. As important as Palacio was in spreading a knowledge of the rich music and culture of his people, many lesser-known artists are now stepping into the voice. Aurelio Martinez is among them, as are members of Palacio's Garifuna Collective and the women of the Garifuna Women's Project . Along with that tour is this new album, blending traditional Garifuna songs [...]

• Umalali - Mérua