Journal Percussive Notes (USA)

“This recording by the Portuguese ensembleDrumming GP is dedicated to compositions of António Pinho Vargas. Originally know for his contributions to jazz, Vargas’s work for percussion is quite impressive and striking.

“Estudos e Interlúdios” is a wonderful piece for seven players. Vargas invites the listener into several different compositional spectrums. In between these ideas are three wonderful interludes for multiple tam tams. This piece is a gem and its played magnificently. Miquel Bernat’s solo vibraphone performance on “Políticas da Amizade” is quite stunning, as it is Sergio Carolino tuba playing on “Arias de ópera para Tuba e Percussão”. The recording ends with Vargas’s piece, “Step by Step”, a tribute to Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild”.

There is no doubt that António Pinho Vargas is a wonderful and thoughtful composer. Drumming GP’s performance is the of the highest caliber in this recording. Everybody holding sticks should check this out.”- Brett William Dietz