Ramón López: 40 Springs In Paris

To say that Spanish-born Ramón López is an in-demand drummer would be an understatement. His recent collaborators span a wide spectrum of creative music, including Satoko Fujii, Natsuki Tamura, Ivo Perelman, Barry Guy, Agusti Fernandez and Angelica Sanchez—and that list reaches well beyond the realms of jazz and free improvisation. López has performed in intimate ensembles and large jazz orchestras, and his deep study of both flamenco and Indian classical music adds rich dimensions to his artistry.

This solo outing is not his first—Eleven Drums Songs (Leo, 1998) and Drums Solo II: Swinging With Doors (Leo, 2007) precede it. But 40 Springs in Paris may be his most immediate and visceral. Recorded spontaneously during a two-hour session in May 2024 in Barcelona, the performance captures López in full flight. Known for his fondness for eclectic percussion instruments, here he primarily focuses on the drum kit, with occasional forays into tabla.

What sets López apart is his complete embodiment of rhythm. He does not just play the beat—he becomes it. His kick drum delivers seismic thuds that hit squarely in the chest, while his cymbals crackle and shimmer like sparks in a fire. His brushwork dances with precision and flair, transforming the kit into a pyrotechnic display of dynamic expression.

This recording affirms Ramón López not just as a master percussionist, but as a sonic storyteller, one whose language is rhythm, and whose message is both electrifying and deeply human.