This week's find is a group that I have just recently encountered, and I'm quickly getting hooked on their music. I love the fact that MySpace connects me with so many different artists; I've heard more music in the past couple of years than ever before! The Find of the Week is Rolando Matias and the Afro-Rican Ensemble.

Based in Cincinnati, Rolando is a self-taught musician whose experience as a percussionist has run the gamut of popular music. He has spent years of study immersing himself in Afro-Caribbean music, digging into a variety of traditions. He has been a part of informal Rumbas, Latin Rock groups, and Blues bands. In addition to the Afro-Rican Ensemble, Rolando participates in a Salsa group Cuba-son, a spoken word group Latin/Hip-Hop group called We Is and an Afro-Jazz group called RM: Intrin-x-ico. This man has a diverse artistic background and he stays very busy with all his musical pursuits!

Mr. Matias and the Afro-Rican Ensemble have recently released a Latin Jazz recording entitled "Live" Volume one. I've been listening to this album over the past week, in preparation for a review on The Latin Jazz Corner. I've been quite impressed with the choice of material - the album ranges from Joe Henderson's "Mamacita" to Rashaan Roland Kirk's "Volunteered Slavery" and Pharaoh Sander's "Thembi." Then there are the arrangements - these intricate songs all take on a life of their own through a variety of Latin rhythms. These guys just take control of these songs with some fierce playing as well. This album pleasantly surprised me - I'll get a full review up on the site in the next couple of weeks.

Rolando Matias and the Afro-Rican Ensemble will sit in the top spot of my friend list for the next week. Check out their music and add them please! If you haven't yet, please check out last week's find, Brazilian vocalist Jorge Dissonância. Then come over to my blog The Latin Jazz Corner and see what's new! Last week included info on 4 Great Latin Jazz Trumpet Players, some ideas on Building a Latin Jazz CD library, a review of the Album of the Week:Pablo Aslan's Buenos Aires Tango Standards and more! See you there . . .