Instrumental folk fusion band Upendra and Friends launched their third album, Rhythmic Delight, at a concert on May 31.

The event held at Nepal Academy Hall attracted a number of music luminaries and enthusiasts including percussionist Nuchhe Bahadur Dangol.

Rhythmic Delight is a percussion-based album that highlights Nepali leather and string instruments in contrast with westernisation of the background music to create a delightful fusion of Eastern and Western music. The album was created with the motivation of celebrating traditional instruments such as the sarangi, dhime, tabala, maadal, djembe and cajon alongside the piano and the drums, by recreating old melodies in a coalescent approach that combines elements of both Nepali folk music as well as Western.

The album builds on years of dedicated experimentation that inspired the first two albums that introduced the band in the mainstream to much appreciation, and furthers the genre the band has been exploring, folk fusion, for nine years.

The ensemble launched their first album, Murchana, in 2006 to much commercial success. Their second album, A Musical Pilgrimage, was launched in 2009 and contains classics such as Himalaya that the band performed at the album launch. Rhythmic Delight includes five tracks and was recorded at Sutra Studio. The album is priced at Rs 400 and is available at music stores in in the Capital. Pianist Upendra Lal Singh, founder and the namesake of the band, expressed his thanks to the audience at the event for supporting the album launch and is hopeful for an enthused reception as received by their preceding albums.