Laru Beya

Laru Beya

Born in the tiny coastal hamlet of Plaplaya on Honduras' Caribbean coast, Aurelio Martinez, 39, may be one of the last generations to grow up steeped in Garifuna tradition. These traditions encompass the African and Caribbean Indian roots of his ancestors, a group of shipwrecked slaves who intermarried with local natives on the island of St. Vincent, only to be deported to the Central American coast in the late eighteenth century.<br><br>At the heart of every song on Laru Beya beats a traditional Garifuna rhythm. However, beyond the beauties of Garifuna tradition and Aurelio's striking interpretations lie the true guiding force behind the album: the loss his late friend and mentor, Garifuna musical icon, Andy Palacio.<br><br>A mere month after Andy's death, Aurelio and producer Ivan Duran, headed for a small fishing village, where they set up a studio in a beachfront house. Aurelio was able to explore the Garifuna connection to Africa when Senegalese Afropop legend Youssou N Dour selected him as his protege in 2008. N'Dour also contributed his unique vocal abilities to several songs on Laru Beya.