Review

Daniel Villarreal: Panama 77 (International Anthem)

Panama-born Daniel Villarreal-Carrillo is a well-known drummer, musician and DJ immersed in the Chicago music scene. He's produced a melting pot of styles here including his pan-Latin style with influences of psychedelic rock, Cumber, afro-beat, boogaloo, rock and free experimental jazz, hip-hop and funk to create something quite unique within a contemporary soundscape. He emphatically utilises his inimitable skill here to a wide range of diverse music.

“Ofella” typifies this with its Cumbria groove, 60's organ riffs and all-around brilliance. It is epic-sounding, with pounding cross-stick rhythms, vocal chants and the jazzy “I Didn't Expect That” carries on with a joyful groove too.

Basically, it's a masterful album, multi-layered with jazz-infused psychedelic instrumental folk-funk that binds his past to the present. Villarreal-Carrillo's drumming is superb, organic and on the money. The sonic, percussive landscapes remind me of a gamelan orchestra on the brink of being out of control. The themes are cinematic too.

Villareal-Carrillo presents a collection of incendiary compositions that mark his progression from valued band member to limelight-facing frontman on this killer debut.
Words Emrys Baird