You don’t have to know what dancehall is to party to the sound of Milagros Dancehall Collective. Suffice it to say that this group of local reggae scene regulars is capable of creating a groove so infectious that you won’t even care if they never play a single Bob Marley favorite -- or, for that matter, any of the pop hits that have come to pass for reggae in the minds of the general public -- during an entire set. While they’re perfectly capable of jaw-dropping covers, the real highlights of their sets are the originals.
The members of the Collective currently in the performing lineup are: Caio Cadiz (Caioman) on keyboards and backup vocals; Macky Macaventa (Burnie Mac) on bass; Rob Martinez (Robbie Ranks) on vocals; Sappy Saplala (General Sappy) on lead guitar and backup vocals; Al Sese (Emperor Alphonse) on the drum kit; and Carlos Tirona (Caloy) on rhythm guitar. (Members on performing hiatus are: Mike Cruz, who did keyboards and musical direction and is currently based in Auckland, New Zealand, and Vince Chacon, currently a grade school teacher in Jakarta, Indonesia, who did percussions.)
You don’t have to know what dancehall is to party to the sound of Milagros Dancehall Collective. Suffice it to say that this group of local reggae scene regulars is capable of creating a groove so infectious that you won’t even care if they never play a single Bob Marley favorite -- or, for that matter, any of the pop hits that have come to pass for reggae in the minds of the general public -- during an entire set. While they’re perfectly capable of jaw-dropping covers, the real highlights of their sets are the originals.
The members of the Collective currently in the performing lineup are: Caio Cadiz (Caioman) on keyboards and backup vocals; Macky Macaventa (Burnie Mac) on bass; Rob Martinez (Robbie Ranks) on vocals; Sappy Saplala (General Sappy) on lead guitar and backup vocals; Al Sese (Emperor Alphonse) on the drum kit; and Carlos Tirona (Caloy) on rhythm guitar. (Members on performing hiatus are: Mike Cruz, who did keyboards and musical direction and is currently based in Auckland, New Zealand, and Vince Chacon, currently a grade school teacher in Jakarta, Indonesia, who did percussions.)
