Juan Romeros Manuella Orkester: ‘Lua Armonia’

Free improvisation and beautiful melodies combine on the debut solo album from Swedish percussionist and composer Juan Romero. ‘Lua Armonia’ takes inspiration from all musical corners of the world, infused with percussion timbres that are both reminiscent of their sources and deeply innovative.

Each composition brings melodic and structural ideas that allow group and individual improvisation from all the players.

The Juan Romeros Manuella Orkester features many of Sweden's most renowned and award-winning musicians: Julia Strzalek (saxes), Alex Sethson (piano, keyboard), Vilhelm Bromander (bass); Pelle Vallgren (drums) and Juan Romero himself (percussion), with a little extra from Goran Kajfes (trumpet) in a guest appearance.

Several of the tracks are credited to Romero himself: El balcon de Ana in particular shows the virtuosic percussion alongside the remainder of the ensemble.The stunning sax on Caretta Caretta from composer of the tune Julia Strzalek is a prime example of the joy that this album presents. Each tune has its own quality, and yet there is a wholeness about Lua Armonia. The percussive introduction to Softness is enhanced as the remainder of the ensemble join for what becomes - gradually and seamlessly - a delightful closure to the album.

This feels like a truly collaborative collection. Several of the tracks have composition credits to the whole orchestra, confirming Juan’s ethos: “It's important that most, preferably everyone in the room, feels involved when music is created.”