The Afro-Venezuelan drum music of the coast gets a high-energy pop twist in the capable hands of Hector Silvera and his group Tambor Urbano, who tour the country's beaches in this video. The band was formed in 1988 by Silvera and friends from Catia in Caracas who wanted to explore their Afro-Venezuelan roots. It is still one of the best party bands in Caracas and distills the essence of tambores traditions from several places along the coast into a fiesta-friendly cocktail of mad dance beats.
From drumming with its roots in Africa, to Spanish-influenced guitar and harp music and the indigenous contribution of maracas, Venezuelan music is largely unknown outside the country. With a blog based on videos of key groups and individuals I hope this music will reach a wider public and get the attention it deserves. Joropo, calypso, tambores, salsa, cumbia, pop, rock, Latin jazz, electronica - even slushy love songs by soap opera stars - Venezuela has it all.
No comments:
Post a Comment