A barrio, a beat, a band, a social movement: San Millán.

In one of the main ports of Venezuela something of a miracle happened: A small barrio of Puerto Cabello, inhabited by former slaves, gave birth to a musical style, elaborated by the group San Millán. They are the nucleus of a social movement directed towards improving standards of life in the neighbourhood.

The 'Rhythm of San Millán' is played on the cumaco drums. It is a solid, fast and happy beat, accompanied by melodic call-and-response singing. It is characterized by its distinctive swing trancao, where the drummers speed up and solos erupt from this percussive volcano.

Although the drums seem to come directly out of Africa, the band developed in the local Venezuelan context and out of an explicit attempt to 'rescue' and revitalize the musical traditions of 'the ancestors,' the founders of the San Millán neighbourhood and their descendants.

From their basis in community work, San Millán started to conquer local, regional, and national stages. An epochal triumph came when the state governor awarded the group with a 'House of the Drum,' and adding to this success San Millán was officially declared part of the cultural heritage of the state of Carabobo.

Music travels with the breeze and makes people enjoy their existence. And that is the ultimate message of San Millán: one of brotherhood and solidarity!

Tracklist

1. Las Voces de San Millán
2. Raíces
3. Me Enamoré
4. Tamborero Cumaquero
5. Vivencias II
6. Dame un Dios
7. No Me Critiques
8. A Borburata
9. Sangueo y Golpe
10. La Yuca
11. Tamboreamelo
12. Homenaje a Changó
13. San Miguel
14. Vivencias III
15. Aguita de Dios
16. Galaví

Video: San Millán - performance in Caracas