Press Contacts
Europe: Ilka Schlockermann - ilka@ilkamedia.com
Rest of World: Marshall Henry - marshall@modiba.net
Downloadable Links
AURELIO NAMED IN SONGLINES ANNIVERSARY ISSUE ‘20 GREAT ARTISTS OF 20 YEARS OF SONGLINES’ — MARCH 2019
Aurelio keeps Garifuna culture alive — Houston Chronicle, April 2019
'Darandi' on Songlines Best Albums of 2017
“With their lilting, soulful melodies, drums and guitars, the paranda songs of the Garifuna people are one of the world’s great musical traditions. Their unique blend of African, Caribbean and Latin influences reflects the extraordinary history of a people who can trace their ancestry back to the African slaves who escaped from a shipwreck to intermarry with the Arawak people of St Vincent, and who now live along the Caribbean coast of Central America. Since the death of the great Andy Palacio, it has been left to his former colleague Aurelio Martinez to promote this glorious, compelling music on the international stage. His fourth solo album is something of a magnificent curiosity. It’s a ‘Greatest Hits’ set – a selection of the most popular songs in his live shows, including nine that appeared on his earlier albums. And it’s also his answer to a live album, though it wasn’t recorded on stage but live at the Real World studios, soon after he made a tremendous appearance at WOMAD last year. Backed by his own guitar, two large Garifuna drums, bass, and twanging electric guitar from Guayo Cedeño, he treats songs such as ‘Dondo’, the charming ‘Laru Beya’ or the more slow and pained-sounding ‘Dugu’ to a thrilling, compelling work-over. Well worth checking out, even if you own all his earlier albums.”
SELECT FEATURE
OKAYAFRICA
Aurelio Martínez & the Garifuna People: A History of African Resistance in the Americas - 2016 - Feature Article
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“The finest living exponent of the music of the Garifuna people”
“Not only the leading figure of Garifuna music but one of the great artists of Latin America.”
darandi Real world Records / Stonetree Records - 2017
“The Garifuna have a history of escaping slavery … That experience informs the indomitable spirit and characteristic joie de vivre of their music, expressed via the paranda, a unique uptempo rhythm and melodies that are as listenable as they are danceable to. ***** ”
“This is his best album to date … Recording with his band “as live” in the studio, he brings new energy and emotion to favourites that range from the charming and slinky Laru Beya to the lament Yange, or a fresh version of Dondo, a paranda classic driven on by tremolo electric guitar lines from Guayo Cedeño. **** ”
For more reviews of Darandi: https://realworldrecords.com/release/661/darandi/
***
German Critics Award “Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik”; category Folk & Singer/Songwriter, Weltmusik & traditionelle ethnische Musik - 2017
IIn den sonnigen Klängen von Aurelio Martinez steckt eine lange Erfahrung kultureller Selbstbehauptung: Der spanischen Versklavung entkommene Schiffbrüchige aus Westafrika verbanden sich im 17. Jahrhundert mit indianischen Volksgruppen der Karibikinsel St. Vincent, wurden von Engländern auf andere Inseln deportiert und besiedelten schließlich die Küsten Zentralamerikas. Die heutige Musik dieses verstreut lebenden Garifuna-Volkes führt westafrikanische und karibische Traditionslinien eigenständig weiter, Aurelio Martinez ist der derzeit wichtigste Botschafter dieser Kultur und des Paranda-Stils. Sein Album „Darandi“ bietet vor allem hinreißend frische Interpretationen von Klassikern, das schön gemachte CD-Büchlein erzählt ausführlich die Geschichte dazu. (Für die Jury: Jürgen Frey)
English translation:
In the sunny sounds of Aurelio Martinez a long experience of cultural self-assertion: the Spanish enslaved escaped shipwrecked from West Africa in the 17th century with Indian folk groups of the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, were deported from English to other islands and finally settled the coasts of Central America. The contemporary music of this scattered Garifuna folk continues independently from West African and Caribbean traditions, Aurelio Martinez is currently the most important ambassador of this culture and Paranda style. His album "Darandi" offers above all delightfully fresh interpretations of classics, the beautifully made CD booklet tells the story in detail. (For the jury: Jürgen Frey)
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik is an independent association of currently 156 music critics and journalists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
LANDINI Real World Records / Stonetree Records – 2014
No. 1 - Songlines 50 Greatest World Music Albums of the Last Five Years 2015
No. 3 fRoots Critic’s Poll New Albums of 2014
Songlines 10 Best Albums of the Year 2014
No. 3 - The Sunday Times Culture Best 100 Records of 2014
No. 2 World Music Central Best World Music Albums 2014
Top Ten fRoots Best of the Best Albums 1986-2015
Afropop (USA)
Landini is a splendid new entry in an important series of Garifuna recordings from Stonetree. If one day, the worst should come and Garifuna culture is reduced to a whisper and a memory, these records will attest to the fierceness, vitality and creativity with which Aurelio and his peers fought to save it.
"Aurelio raises the standard for Garifuna pop to a new plateau.”
Songlines Magazine (UK)
“Still representing Garifuna culture on the world stage. Superb... Landini is imbued with melancholy, memory and celebration ... rich in variety ... wonderful.” Read more.
Songlines 10 Best Albums of the Year 2014
No. 1 - Songlines 50 Greatest World Music Albums of the Last Five Years 2015
The Times (UK)
“Rising stars of world music”
NPR All Things Considered (USA)
"With his talent, vision, charisma and searing voice, Aurelio is a big part of the reason (Garifuna music) has achieved outsize recognition internationally.”
Worldmusic.co.uk (Live review from Mac, Birmingham) (UK)
“Powerful and energetic … Having settled in with this first number they put their pedal to the metal and drove off into a storming piece, fast, powerful and energetic. I was struck by the sound of the band: only six musicians but a full, rich sonic landscape.
If you get the chance, go and see this band. Aurelio is a highly talented musician, conscious composer and passionate performer with an excellent band behind him...”
Folk Roots Magazine (UK)
“An irresistible testament to the musical heritage of Honduras delivered by an emerging superstar of world music. Landini is a well-produced and authentic album full of deft musicianship and Aurelio's rich vocals...”
The Observer (UK)
"His role as cultural ambassador for Honduras's coastal Garifuna people led Aurelio Martinez to Senegal for 2011's superb fusion album, Laru Beya. Here, he returns to his roots, to songs and folk tunes learned from his mother (who gets a co-writing credit). Despite its simplicity, Lándini is an elegant creation, its easy, swaying rhythms overlaid (at times contradicted) by Aurelio's impassioned vocals. Its subjects run from celebration to tragedy: (Milagrossa concerns a ferry sinking) there's a ruminative, melancholic undertow throughout and some deft surf-guitar work. Smell the salt air."
The Sunday Times (UK)
“Think of it, if you like, as the new-world version of Cape Verdean cool. This singer-guitarist's celebration of Garifuna heritage yields a patchwork of melody.”
No. 3 - The Sunday Times Culture Best 100 Records of 2014
Worldmusiccentral.org (USA)
“The Alluring Garifuna Sounds of Aurelio. Lándini is a captivating album with irresistible rhythms outstanding musicianship and fascinating depictions of Garifuna life and history.” read more
No. 2 World Music Central Best World Music Albums 2014
Curious Animal (UK)
“I don't know how many great albums have been written by a musician and his mum...but for Aurelio, it has worked. ... Nostalgic and melancholy in Aurelio's voice, despite the pounding of drums on tracks like Durugubei Mani. He shows off his guitar chops on songs like the stripped back acoustic Nitu. ...there are big memorable melodies across the album ...” read more
Libération (France)
‘’Une réverbération de guitare digne de Dick Dale sur des rythmiques africaines : d’où vient une musique aussi vivifiante, séduisante dès la première écoute ? (...) Certains titres évoquent Calexico, d’autres l’Angolais Bonga, on ne sait pas où on se trouve, sinon dans un état de plaisir constant.’’
Courrier International (France)
‘’Dans la famille Garifuna, je vous présente le fils, Aurelio, auteur du sublime Landini (« Landing » en anglais), album parfait au groove imparable. Mais il s’agit la de bien d’autre chose, d’une musique nonchalante et racée au service d’une noble cause ; la préservation d’une culture en passe de disparaître, celle des Garifunas d’Amérique Centrale.’’
Le Télégramme (France)
“Les rythmes (guitare et percussions) sont le plus souvent enjoués mais c’est un parfum de mélancolie que l’on ressent à l’écoute de l’ambassadeur du peuple Garifuna dont la musique est un mélange original et subtil des Caraïbes, d’Amérique du Sud et d’Afrique de l’Ouest’’.
LARU BEYA Real World Records / SUBPOP / Stonetree Records – 2011
One of Songlines Top 10 best albums of the Year 2011
Songlines 50 Greatest World Music Albums of the Last Five Years
No. 4 The Sunday Times Top 100 World Albums of the Year
No. 7 Best Albums 2011 – The Guardian Critics Choice
BBC Music Magazine (UK)
“ Lots of long, gracefully winding lines. Martinez's Garifuna soul hasn't been drowned out or diluted. It's still firmly rooted in surging local rhythms, with the odd digression into reggae, and mostly driven by the fibrous thumping of Garifuna drums ... He still sings his songs in sweet Garifuna, which means lots of long, gracefully winding lines. Performance 5 stars - Recording 5 stars.”
Jazzwise (UK)
“Laru Beya is an evocative...Multi-textured ride that begins on the Honduran coast and finishes up in Senegal. Forget expensive timepieces, rhythms here are soon come, reggae tinged. Gritty Garifuna beats...Martinez's rich tenor and Garifuna-language lyrics tackle big topics ...”
Echoes (UK)
“Aurelio is an extremely important Central American singer/songwriter, he is a figurehead for the Garifuna community... An album to immerse yourself in ... And look forward to Aurelio's performance at WOMAD this summer!”
Limelight (Australia)
“Light and optimistic … Its rhythms marked by gentle lilt, Honduran Aurelio Martinez's music blends Caribbean and African Sounds. ... To the listeners ears Aurelio has the edge, aided by guest vocals Youssou N'Dour.”
Boras Tidning (SE) Sweden
“Hypnotic melodies and rhythms and wonderful drive. Beautiful songs...”
LIVE
The Irish Time (Live from WOMAD Charlton Park Festival)
"Our choice of late-night viewing was another highlight. Aurelio is cultural ambassador for the Garifuna people of the Caribbean coast of Central America. His lovely warm-hearted rhythms find space between an Afro percussion sound and the Latin lilts of his homeplace, and a guitarist who crafted one beautifully jaw-dropping solo after another accompanied him. A fitting end to the day."
Extra! Extra! (Live from Union Chapel, London)
“It was truly, sublime, in every sense of the word! Aurelio, in as distinctively emotive voice and vibrant personality as ever, led his hard working band as they bounced their varying sounds off his, with all ending up inspired, including the audience. ... With one stunner after another exuberantly hurled at us, meant we couldn't help dancing more or less non-stop throughout."
Worldmusic.co.uk (Live review from Mac, Birmingham)
“Powerful and energetic. Having settled in with this first number they put their pedal to the metal and drove off into a storming piece, fast, powerful and energetic. I was struck by the sound of the band: only six musicians but a full, rich sonic landscape. If you get the chance, go and see this band. Aurelio is a highly talented musician, conscious composer and passionate performer with an excellent band behind him..."
Morning Star Online (Live review of Aurelio at The Barbican)
"This is life-affirming music... We are in the presence of a sextet of master musicians on an inspiring night."