Magic Drum Orchestra - MDO (2014)

Magic Drum Orchestra fuses a passion for Brazilian music, heavy drums and percussion with a love of modern dance beats. Their sound has influences from dubstep, drum & bass and hip hop fused with batucada, samba and afrobeat. With over 100 drummers and percussionists making their way through the studio to record these tracks, high quality, cutting edge production is a big part of the MDO sound, alongside the real human element that only live percussion and drums can bring – there is a truly free spirit feel to this music.

This album compiles the two MDO Sessions digital EP into one finished product, featuring every track from the two EPs. With the World Cup taking place in Brazil in 2014, this release is perfectly timed to soundtrack it. As well as original material, the album features percussive cover versions of Snoop Dogg & Pharrell’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, Benga’s dubstep anthem “Crunked Up” and the Cream classic “Sunshine Of Your Love”.

Magic Drum Orchestra has an impressive history and pedigree, having been formed by Ralph Cree and Glyn Bush (aka BiggaBush) back in 2005. Whilst joining forces for Glyn’s ‘Lightning Head’ project (Sonar Kollektiv), the duo decided to combine their passion and mastery in a carefully assembled samba band which became the extraordinary Magic Drum Orchestra. Alongside MDO, separate projects have seen Glyn and Ralph rise in numerous musical areas. With multi-instrumentalist, Ralph, specialising in percussion and an extensive knowledge of African, Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, and Glyn’s musical career and involvement in a variety of bands and projects, MDO blends a refreshing mix of styles that has advanced over time. Glyn’s projects include the notable house, dub and trip-hop band Rockers Hi-Fi with Richard ‘DJ Dick’ Whittingham; releasing albums on Island and Warner, they gained a substantial following, with fans including the likes of Kruder & Dorfmeister, Thievery Corporation and Jason Bentley (KCRW radio, LA).