Exposé Online banner

Exposé Online

Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Jorodu — The Hummingbird Conspiracy
(Bandcamp no#, 2026, CD / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2026-07-26

The Hummingbird Conspiracy Cover art

Jorodu is Jose Roman Duque, a Venezuelan composer, drummer and multi-instrumentalist now resident in Miami, a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and proficient in a wide array of musical styles, from rock to Latin and world music to jazz and much more. He has recorded and performed with Jonathan Noyce, Colin Edwin, John Durant’s Burnt Belief, Randy Armstrong, and many others, and founded the groups Jose Duque’s Reload, Zumbatres, and performs live with The Jazzilian Project, Jonathan Auerbach Trio, The Camel Toe band and many others. Which brings us to his latest album: While the title is The Hummingbird Conspiracy, one won’t find Duque’s name on the CD anywhere except in the credits, which makes on wonder if this is Jorodu / Duque album or an attempt to launch a new entity called The Hummingbird Conspiracy, although the Bandcamp page lists it as a Jorodu album, on which Duque composes everything, wrote most of the lyrics, plays tenor and baritone guitars, mandocello, bass, keyboards and vocals – and of course, drums. Three other palyers are listed in the credits as special guests, but they are only credited with guitar solos on individual tracks. The opener “Chimera” sets the stage with a powerful rock piece that could easily find a home on any early ZZ Top album, pounding drums, bluesy guitar riffage, excellent supporting bass and a little bit of organ to glue it all together. Other tracks seem to pull from an array of influences – rock, a little jazz, progressive, early 70s glam, and a lot of power. Duque’s vocals are perhaps an acquired taste, reminding me a little of early David Bowie at times, but certainly excellent. “Hums Like Wires” absolutely sizzles, while “Vigil In The Night of Nihil” seems to haunt some dark boundaries but stays firmly in rock territory. “Scavenger” might hint at the autobiographical, with some pointed lyrics for the music industry, while the intro to “Pater Familias” seems at first to be a monastic chant, though it quickly settles into the verse / chorus song format with some experimental flourishes throughout. Eight tracks in all, and every one has its merits; The Hummingbird Conspiracy has plenty to offer the adventurous rock oriented listener.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases

Related artist(s): Jorodu (Jose Roman Duque)

More info
http://jorodu.bandcamp.com/album/the-hummingbird-conspiracy

 

What's new

These are the most recent changes made to artists, releases, and articles.