Dafnis Prieto is really in a class of his own. A genius in his own right, he's not only a brilliant, completely original drummer, but also a formidable arranger and composer, who keeps coming up with new line-ups with totally distinctive sounds. Here, he reforms his six-piece group, with a mix of newer stars like Rodriguez, Valera and Lamoglia, and Prieto regulars, of whom Apfelbaum is outstanding, playing challenging new material like the title tune here, which, with its tango-infused melody, will haunt you long after you've heard it. It's not just superb Cuban-based polyrhythmic music, but creative jazz, often free form, of the highest order. The two saxophonists are in full flight on ‘Flores’, for example. On ‘The Evil in You’, the stop-start jagged writing is especially arresting and then come the robust solos – with Valera, sounding even better than with his own group, followed by the always interesting Apfelbaum on tenor, then soprano, all propelled by the relentless rhythm section, with Prieto directing the grooves. The flying ‘Two For One’ is further out still, with Rodriguez showing an unexpected versatility and Prieto himself making a short but masterly statement. Altoist Lamoglia makes an impressive debut in a Prieto group, matching Apfelbaum's passionate playing throughout. But it's the percussionist who makes it all happen and it's only appropriate that the closing ‘Opener’ features a typically personal drum solo. If you've never heard Dafnis Prieto, Triangles and Circles is the CD you should try and get hold of. Surely one of my records of the year.