Orgy in Rhythm, Vol. 1 is an album by jazz drummer and bandleader Art Blakey, released in 1957 on Blue Note Records. It was recorded on March 7, 1957, at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Hackensack, New Jersey. The album is notable for its percussion-focused approach, with Blakey leading an ensemble that includes multiple drummers and percussionists, such as Sabu Martinez and Art Taylor, exploring Afro-Cuban and jazz rhythms.
The recording session was supervised by Alfred Lion, co-founder of Blue Note, with sound engineering by Rudy Van Gelder. The album is part of Blakey's experimental series blending hard bop with Latin and African influences. The instrumentation includes vibraphone, marimba, timbales, and bongos, creating a dense, polyphonic rhythmic texture.
Orgy in Rhythm, Vol. 1 was well received by critics and is considered a milestone in the fusion of jazz with Caribbean rhythms. The album reflects Blakey's fascination with world percussion and his ability to integrate multiple rhythmic layers without losing ensemble cohesion. It is a key work for understanding the evolution of post-war jazz.