The Offense of the Drum

Arturo O’Farrill’s *The Offense of the Drum* surges with harmonic and rhythmic energy from the get-go. The pianist/composer and his big band, The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, are joined by various guest artists on this expansive album, where Offense has room for Japanese drums, accordion, djembe, and harp. “Cuarto de Colores” weaves together Cuban, Brazilian, and Colombian rhythms and features the excellent Colombian harpist Edmar Castaneda, who spins out dazzling runs backed by a horn arrangement that’s by turns muscular and smooth. The spoken word of Christopher “Chilo” Cajigas is spotlighted on “They Came,” a proud take on Puerto Rican history and migration to the United States. It’s a powerhouse piece that integrates words and music at an extraordinarily high level. (The track, written and conducted by Jason Lindner, includes DJ Logic on turntables.) Pianist Vijay Iyer wrote and played on “The Mad Hatter,” a composition full of tricky lines and rhythms. The two-movement title cut takes listeners on a journey. Artful rigidity morphs into a grand layered flow over the course of this impressive work.

The drum takes center stage as GRAMMY winners Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra engage nearly 30 types of percussion to explore whole new territories for Afro Latin jazz. High profile multi-genre guests including Vijay Iyer, DJ Logic, rapper Chilo, Donald Harrison and Colombian harp star Edmar Castañeda bring their unique flavors to this international Latin jazz party, where Cuba meets New Orleans, South America and Africa.

The Offense of the Drum features his 18-piece Afro-Latin Jazz band -- a whopping 28 percussion instruments from all over the globe -- and a notable host of collaborators including Donald Harrison and Vijay Iyer.