In the 1980's, Garifuna musicians rose to national prominence riding the "riddims" of Punta Rock, an infectious dance beat set to the time of the traditional Punta rhythm, and sauced up with electronic synthesizers, catchy hooks and irresistible choruses. Back then it was thought that Punta Rock, as this new hybrid was called, would take over the world putting Garifuna music on the world stage.

Well, Punta Rock has accomplished many things, but it has not done that; internationally it remains at best a curiosity. Now the same hope of international fame is pinned to the Garifuna's Paranda music. And music promoters say this one just may be the one.

So, now Paranda, an ancient soulful music sprung from two centuries of joy and blues of the Garifuna community is new again and the most promising prospect for international fame is Aurelio Martinez. He is a Garifuna born in Honduras but he says Belize is like home to him because Benque Viejo's Stonetree Records has given him the opportunity to pursue a career as a Parandero. It's his life's dream and it got started today as his first full Paranda album was released he came by our studio to tell us about this very special album called Garifuna soul.

[Aurelio Martinez Singing and Playing Guitar]

He's an icon of Garifuna music, recognized and idolized in Garinagu communities across the world. But now with his first full length release on Belize's Stonetree imprint, called Garifuna soul Aurelio Martinez is trying to make his claim as a musician and performer recognized worldwide for producing authentic music.

Aurelio Martinez, Musician
[Translation] "I think this album has a lot of sentiment and it is a new type of music acapella Garifuna and the world always wants new sounds and this album delivers that and it is very important fr the Garifuna community for something like this that sounds fresh and new it will not only have the backing of the Garifuna community, it will transcend internationally."

And the way this new album sounds, it deserves to transcend. With Paranda's just modestly returned to produce the feel of boleros and horns returned to sound like South African township jive, it is masterfully produced and aims at the international market. But a man of such legendary status can't reach for the stars and forget his roots, and Aurelio acknowledges that he's got to keep it real for his people.

Aurelio Martinez,
[Translation] "To keep my people happy is very complicated because if you stray away from the parameters that they are used to listening to they discard you, they don't like it but I think they are being very good with me because it shows that I have been very true to my traditions."

"But the singing is a traditional accapella song which is performed by women and that is performed on top of a bolero which has Latin roots and that's how a song like ‘Yau' fulfills both expectations from my Garinagu people because I am singing in our language and also the international listener who will be very familiar with the music."

And that feel of familiarity in the music, that Garifuna soul, comes most directly from the sinuous rhythms of Paranda music the intensely personal cousin to the upbeat Punta music. Aurelio says that he chooses Paranda because it speaks to the authenticity of the Garifuna experience.

Aurelio Martinez,
[Translation] "But with Paranda you could communicate a lot more freely; if you are sick or if you have a problem with someone you could communicate it through Paranda and that's how we Garifunas do it, we make songs to heal us and to help us with our problems."

"If I had to choose between Punta Rock and Paranda, I would choose Paranda because it's the music I love the most. Although I live off performing and recording Punta Rock music, Paranda is what touches my soul the most and I do understand that a lot of young people prefer the Punta Rock and the boom boom of the music and they are not as in touch with the roots of the Garifuna; this is the music that I love to do the most."

"I want to play Paranda all my life; I want to be like Paul Nabor to be still playing Paranda music at age 73 and beyond.

And that dedication to Paranda, he says also translates into a quality recorded product.

Aurelio Martinez,
[Translation] "If you buy a Paranda record, you are taking three Punta Rock albums in one [Laughs] for the same price. I want to convince the Belizean people who are listening, that the only way that they can make out music grow is by buying the records we produce because up to this moment there are no Garifuna Grammy's." [Laughs]

No Garifuna Grammy's but this weekend you'll get the closest thing as Aurelio and the Garifuna All Star band team up for a concert at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, where he'll be singing alongside the legend Paul Nabor and pull out his classic moves.

Aurelio Martinez,
[Translation] "In Honduras they know me as the king of jankuna(sic) and I have been a great dancer most of my life and people know we everywhere as having a great stage performance; although I am not as young as I used to be, I still have my moves."

And while he still has his high energy stage moves, today in our studios his nimble fingers did the moves up and down the guitar fret board like the accomplished tunesmith that he is singing his hit song "Africa."

Aurelio Martinez and the Garifuna All Star Band featuring Paul Nabor will perform on Saturday night at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. You can check Aurelio's lyrics, pictures, and audio samples on Stone Tree's Website.