Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective’s 2007 album Wátina is one of the most praised world music albums ever released, and was selected by amazon.com as the Greatest World Music Album of All Time (beating out Buena Vista Social Club, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti and other worthy contenders). On the cusp of tremendous fame, Andy passed away suddenly a year after Wátina was released, leaving the world to wonder just how big he could have become.
His band has continued where Andy left off, and with Wátina producer Ivan Duran of Stonetree back at the helm, have produced the album Ayó (“Goodbye” in the Garifuna language), a soul-stirring collection of songs inspired by their unique Afro-Amerindian cultural heritage. With a lineup that consists of the best musicians in the fertile Garifuna music scene of Belize, Honduras and Guatemala, The Garifuna Collective promises to carry the torch of cultural preservation and promotion passed on by Andy Palacio far into the future. The Garifuna Collective’s songs of heartbreak, hope and joy will move your body and your soul.
On “Mongulu” the singer expresses the confidence that in spite of the challenges, her son Mo?ungulu, will grow up. While the parent sacrifices to raise her child for his own sake, there is also the hope that he in turn will look out for the parent as the need arises. The Garifuna Collective’s preferred setting is when everyone sings in unison or call and response and anyone can join with handclaps or a percussion instrument. Some of the most memorable songs in Garifuna culture have been created and popularized in this fashion.
“Mongulu” from The Garifuna Collective’s album “Ayó”
directed by Garry Bassin / The Listen Project
LYRICS (ENGLISH)
Because, Móungulu, you will grow up, my dear, ayei
Where are you, younger brother? I need you
Because, Móungulu, you will grow up, my dear, ayei
Hope it comes to pass, that you help me
Where are you, my younger brother? I need you
Because, Móungulu, you will grow up, my dear, ayei
LYRICS (GARIFUNA)
Lubá, Móungulu, baweiyada yaba, wanwa, ayéi
Halíañaíibu sa, namulen? Megei numutibu
Lubá, Móungulu, baweiyada yaba, wanwa, ayéi
Ubugua, ubugua íderabana me ei
Halíañadibu sa, namulen? Megei numutibu
Lubá, Móungulu, baweiyada yaba, wanwa, ayéi
ORDER THE NEW GARIFUNA COLLECTIVE ALBUM “AYO”
Cumbancha Store: http://shop.cumbancha.com/releases/ayo.html
The Garifuna Collective will be touring in the US and Canada this summer, often performing alongside Canadian singer-songwriter Danny Michel with whom they collaborated on the album Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me. The recording, which has already earned a Juno nomination (the Canadian equivalent of the GRAMMY) for Best World Music Album, will also also be released in the US by Stonetree / Cumbancha on July 2.
CONNECT WITH THE GARIFUNA COLLECTIVE:
http://www.garifunacollective.com
https://www.facebook.com/garifunacoll…
https://twitter.com/garifunacoll
CONNECT WITH CUMBANCHA & STONETREE:
http://www.cumbancha.com
http://www.stonetreerecords.com
http://shop.cumbancha.com/releases.html/
http://www.facebook.com/cumbancha
http://www.twitter.com/cumbancha
http://www.youtube.com/cumbanchamusic
