THE beats of two contrasting islands are tied together by band Ska Cubano when they play at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) as part of the venue's summer-long Sounds in the Round music festival this Friday.

Ska Cubano combine the traditional ska music of Jamaica and add a dash of Cuba's Latin American flavour.

The band fuses Jamaican rhythms with the wild brass music sound of Cuba.

This unique Latin music mixes together reggae, salsa, Brazilian ritualistic music, Klezmer-style sax and big band brass. This new ska supergroup features lead singer Cuban Beny Billy and Top Cats' Natty Bo.

Helping to form the world's most catchy backbeat is Rey Crespo on double bass and that big brass sound comes compliments of the legendary Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton on trumpet and Megumi Mesaku on alt and baritone sax.

Tickets for Ska Cubano, who are playing in the MAC's outside arena, cost £12.50 and can be bought by calling the box office on 0121 4403838.