Release Date: June 12th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Willy Kuma Vol. 1 - Tracklisting
1.Intro 02:07
2.Cactus Drop 06:26
3.Horizon 05:25
4.Iguana Bro
5.Before the Storm
6.Last Drop
7.Desert Vibes
8.Quiet Sand
Members
Guglielmo Allegro - Everything
Review
Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Guglielmo Allegro has taken some time away from his main creative projects of Void Sinker and Nightscape. Guglielmo has formed a new solo instrumental venture called Willy Kuma which focuses upon the legendary sounds of the Californian Desert/Stoner Rock scenes. Guglielmo states this project has been influenced by the works of Brant Bjork and Tommy Guerrero. His debut release under this new project is called Willy Kuma: Volume 1 and it’s a light hearted affair with some slightly jazzy interludes along the way.
Truth be told I was expecting something heavier which touches upon the likes of KYUSS and FU MANCHU but I would say whilst there are still some great heavy moments along the way that Willy Kuma is more closely aligned to the quieter works of Brant Bjork and Yawning Man. There’s some cool sounding Funk Rock movements which are a million miles away from the Drone, Sludge and Stoner Metal surroundings of both Void Sinker and Nightscape.
This is a refreshing change of pace with Guglielmo showing a softer side to his creative identity with elements of Post-Rock appearing on different parts of the album. There are massive amounts of WAH WAH guitar effects which gives a cool solitary and shamanic vibe to the album which is part of almost every track with a subdued musical performance from Guglielmo.
This project allows Guglielmo to be completely zoned into the Californian Bohemian lifestyle the legendary Desert/Stoner Rock scene is known for. You can hear moments of Drone Rock in the background which is masquerading as long drawn out Psych and Space Rock passages which is a great way of how the music is fully delivered and implemented right to the listener.
Standout tracks on the album to check out are: Cactus Drop, Iguana Bro, Before The Storm, Last Drop and Quiet Sand. Guglielmo brings a progressive and cinematic quality to these tracks which has an easy going attitude that can easily be classified as CHILL OUT music for the STONER GENERATION. This isn’t the fastest music that Guglielmo has written but it’s great to hear his own perspective on the whole Californian Desert/Stoner Rock scene.
You can hear a fine amount of Seventies Funk music that gives the album such a refreshing change of musical attitude on the later stages of the record. Some of the tracks are perhaps a bit too long but it’s good to see Guglielmo outside of his comfort zone and trying something new, bold and superbly real from start to finish.
Overall, Willy Kuma Vol. 1 is a richly observed and superbly entertaining record which may even become Guglielmo’s most popular project if he keeps making great records such as this.
Words by Steve Howe
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