Punta Paradise/Garifuna Dance Floor Favorites is a compilation of 14 up-tempo tunes celebrating Punta Rock, an indigenous peoples' sound, an art form that is vibrant, diverse, and dynamic.

Born in the late 1970s, Punta Rock emerged from the native Garifuna communities of Belize. The music is a product of their fused Latin and African heritage. Primarily known for their making and playing of drums, the musicians integrate dance with their native language. Add modern instruments such as guitars, keyboards, and brass, and you've got Punta Rock.

Punta Paradise/Garifuna Dance Floor Favorites introduces the listener to an infectious high-energy groove that is guaranteed to make you move. The music draws upon West African call-and-response chants sung in the Garifuna tongue, a unique blend of Arawak, Carib, French, and West African languages. Only four songs have English lyrics; consequently, the tempo most often is the attention grabber. Got a late-night drive ahead of you or preparing to clean the house? Crank up this CD!

Dance Floor Favorites is all about male and female interaction. Imagine gyrating, sweating bodies in the tropical heat surrounded by the aromas of smoke and "bitters," a native herbal drink. Picture a dimly lit palapa with dancers grinding to the pulsating beat late into the night.

The style of music on this album took Belize by storm around 20 years ago, becoming an instant dance craze. The arrangements celebrate Punta Rockers' styles, ranging from a smooth and rootsy sound to high-flying social commentaries, traditional rhythms to salsa. One thing you won't hear on the album is a drum machine. Each track is driven by a combo of locally made mahogany drums, each tuned to a different pitch. The drums provide a constant force that carries the entire record. Track 14, "Punta Cultural Mix" by Dayann Ellis, brings to mind the sound of O.J. Ekemode and his Nigerian All Stars. Some readers may remember this band playing in the Durango area during the 1980s, similarly known for its dance music backed by three female singers handling the call-and-response vocals. Track 6, "Til Da Mornin," features Andy Palacio, one of the most identifiable names associated with this style of music. Palacio focuses on performing Punta Rock as a way to keep the traditions alive long into the future. His work brings together his dual passion for the safe-guarding of culture and creating a roots-based sound. English translations are available. It would be fair to compare his work to Paul Simon's Graceland or the Buena Vista Social Club. Sadly, Andy passed away in January, less than a year after releasing his latest album, Watima.

Aurelio Martinez is also featured on the CD. His style emphasizes the acoustic guitar and soulful vocals, delivering a more relaxing sound that incorporates laid-back saxophone accompaniment with the traditional drumbeats. His lyrics, which have also been translated to English, often describes tragic themes based on the everyday problems of life in an impoverished country.

Punta Rock continues to evolve as musicians partner together on various recordings. Today, the music pushes the envelope in respect to use of language, accelerating tempos, harmonies, and band lineups. Garifuna musicians are making inroads on the music scenes of New York and Los Angeles, where music lovers can catch their live sound. Remaining true to the Central American drumbeat, these musicians are ambassadors of a relatively new sound, bridging Punta Rock with the latest in instrumentation. It is only a matter of time before the Punta rhythms are widespread.