The Rhythmagic Orchestra

The Rhythmagic Orchestra were founded by Nostalgia 77's Benedic Lamdin and Sofrito's Hugo Mendez as a collaborative project that involved young players on the U.K.'s jazz scene and Cuban percussionists. They draw their members from the Nostalgia 77 Octet, the Plumstead Radical Club, the Heliocentrics, the Alex Wilson Band, Jazz Jamaica, and Ska Cubano. The unit combines traditional arrangements -- using Cuban bata drums -- with a new approach to Latin jazz via the early 21st century sound of London's jazz, world, and dance music scenes. Their self-titled debut album was released on Impossible Ark. ~ Thom Jurek