Kijombo

One might start by pointing out that the musicianship on this recording, the second from this joint Dominican and New York outfit, is absolutely outstanding. The four members forming the band's backbone are completely at ease as they take us through a gamut of rhythmically challenging local idioms from the Dominican Republic. Crucially, their journeying into international styles, like rock, jazz and the fusion thereof, never sounds forced or disjointed but blends together impeccably into a single, richly tasteful bite.

The album's title refers to a meeting place where palos (drums) are played and which represents the intersection of music, mysticism, family and community. Thejeda is the bandleader, composer, producer and guitarist on this album. All the band members sing and there are guest vocalists on at least six of these 11 danceable and improvisation-rich tracks, all in the best possible Caribbean tradition of harmonic rhythm. ‘La Salve Eléctrica’ is a contemporary jazz composition featuring improvisation by Kyle Miles on electric bass and a rare lesson by Thejeda in the graceful use of a chorus-like Thelecaster sound. Often and rather unexpectedly this and other tracks, like ‘A la Dolorita’, foray into the beautiful vocal and percussive traditions that inspire the music on this album. Together with great production, mixing, mastering and artwork, this album has it all.