“Since he arrived in New York in 1999, the Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto has been translating centuries of hand-drum tradition into jazz percussion for the trap set. But he has developed his own compositional ambitions, and at last here’s the result. ‘About the Monks’, his own first record… some of the best of New York’s new Latin-jazz movement, distinguished by complex, jaggedly modern writing, but also by a deep cultural literacy of Cuban folklore.”

“If you’re curious about new directions in Latin jazz, then let percussionist Dafnis Prieto’s ‘About the Monks’ point the way… Prieto’s drumming is kinetic yet never overpowering. He unselfishly allows his band the lion’s share of the solos, yet his presence is the heartbeat of the recording.”

“Editor’s Pick: Here’s the record a lot of the improvising Latin world has been waiting for… Prieto is gifted. His drumming is light and forceful. He’s exceptionally interactive, talking back to the soloists… All the writing’s by Prieto and it’s often stunning… Here’s the real deal. Highly recommended.”