18. Belize — “Wátina” by Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective

This is the last album of Andy Palacio, released a year before his death at the age of 47. I had never heard of him, but it seems he’s the most famous musician to ever come from Belize. He was its culture ambassador and was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace.

I really liked it. It sounds very well produced, maybe slightly too polished, but that makes it accessible and pleasant to first-time listeners. The songs are different enough between them whilst fitting well together as a whole. Like with other albums I’ve listened to during this project, it would have been amazing to see them perform live.

And… after two years of very limited travel due to the pandemic, this music is perfect to imagine yourself somewhere far away, in the sun, having a drink… (sigh).