Though their styles are clearly different, the two musicians bring across in their lyrics the true Belizean lifestyle for which many today are nostalgic.
Lee Laa?s CD also includes her version of the paranda song, Malateh (Empty Love), sung with both Creole and Garifuna lyrics. She hears the Garifuna song as a brukdown song and thinks that even though paranda and brukdown are recognized as two separate genres of music, they are essentially the same thing.
Ms. Lee Laa has described herself as an old young artist, meaning that, though she has gracefully aged, she is young on the scene?and the energy she releases on stage with her vibrant performances signal that she is indeed young in spirit.
This is the energy that comes across in her new album, Balahu, which features her winning song, Balahu?the song that landed her as the winner of last year?s Brukdown Competition.
She describes her style as ?Buru Brukdown,? which she distinguishes from Mr. Peters? traditional style.
But Mr. Peters was the musician to take the music from the quiet halls of Belizean society to national fame and then to the international arena.
Maybe it?s a trademark of brukdown artists, but this accordion-playing master also demonstrates as much energy as a youth when he performs on stage. And he has a knack for getting people to leave the comfort of their seats to party on the dance floor.
Like Ms. Lila, his lyrics are entertaining and he often uses his humor to relay stories of encounters that ordinary Belizeans might have had.
The executive producers Pupa Curley (Curlin Arnold) and Patrick Barrow are proud of these latest releases. Other artists who collaborated on the work include vocalist Nuru, trumpeter Norman Ysaguirre, drummer Glen Garcia, keyboardist Marlon Alegria, arranger/producer Allan (Baba) Castillo, and guitarist Lesmond Sosa, among others.
Mr. Peters? release, Brukdown Reloaded, Volume #2, is the second in the series, coming a year after the first volume. This one features the old time popular hit, Neck & Back; Becca Gal, Uncle Snuffy, Don?t Touch mi Bubby, among others.
Both Mr. Peters and Ms. Lila include renditions of Happy Birthday on their albums, available now in stores.
(NOTE: Ms. Lee Laa is slated to perform some of her hits at this Saturday?s Sound Fest, which plays at the Belize City Center, starting at 8:30 p.m.)