Mahala Rai Banda
Encyclopedia
Mahala Rai Banda is a gypsy band based in Bucharest (Romania
). It was formed by violinist and composer Aurel Ionitsa, who originally comes from a family of lautari
from the village of Clejani
. He is related to several members of Taraf de Haïdouks
The band plays with an array of styles and genres. Romanian violins & accordions are combined with a brass section consisting of army brass band veterans and musicians from Romania's famous village Zece Prajini – hometown of Fanfare Ciocarlia and a rocking rhythm section. They effortlessly combine a knack for inventive arrangements with an ability to turn every single concert into a wild party.
Their music is positioned right at the crossroads between traditional popular music and club-oriented, so called Balkan Beats. This rich blend of sophisticated arrangements, traditional elements and modern outlook puts them in a unique position among all the current bands.
Additional production and mix were carried out by Shantel
and Marcus Darius in Frankfurt, Germany.
The mix was done in collaboration with Ionita Aurel (who is the band's leader) and Stéphane Karo.
The album was released on Crammed Discs
in early 2005 .
, in October 2009 .
The album climbed to position 2 in the World Music Charts Europe and was voted amongst the top ten "Best Albums Of The Year 2009" by UK's popular music magazine Songlines .
- The band has played around 200 concerts in 26 countries, and appeared at major festivals and prestigious clubs and concert halls
- Their song "Mahalageasca" (both in its original version and in the shape of the rework made by Shantel
) has appeared in successful US feature film Borat
, and in several other films and advertising campaigns.
- The album climbed to Nr 3 in the World Music Charts Europe
- Mahala Raï Banda have had their tracks remixed and/or reworked by prestigious electronic music producers and artists such as Nouvelle Vague, Felix B (from Basement Jaxx
), Balkan Beat Box
, DJ Click, Russ Jones
, Shantel
and more . Most of these reworks appeared as part of the Electric Gypsyland albums.
- Mahala Raï Banda tracks have appeared on international compilations such as Buddha Bar (France), Bucovina Club (Germany), Balkan Bangers and Gypsy Beats (UK), Balearic Bisquits (Denmark), Balkanology (South Africa), Rough Guide to Eastern Europe (UK), Rromanu Suno (Serbia), Balkan Beats (Germany) Barrio Latino (France), Bar Gypsy (USA) and more, as well as in the soundtrack album of the "Borat" movie.
- Mahala Rai Banda is part of THE GYPSY QUEENS AND KINGS since 2009.
-Mahalageasca is on Little Big Planet 2
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
). It was formed by violinist and composer Aurel Ionitsa, who originally comes from a family of lautari
Lautari
The Romanian word Lăutar denotes a class of traditional musicians. Most often, and by tradition, Lăutari are members of a professional clan of Romani musicians , also called Ţigani lăutari. The term is derived from Lăută the name of a string instrument...
from the village of Clejani
Clejani
Clejani is a commune in Giurgiu County, Romania, about 40 km south of Bucharest, in the Vlaşca region , on the Danube Plains near the Bulgarian border. It is composed of four villages: Clejani, Neajlovu, Podu Doamnei and Sterea....
. He is related to several members of Taraf de Haïdouks
The band plays with an array of styles and genres. Romanian violins & accordions are combined with a brass section consisting of army brass band veterans and musicians from Romania's famous village Zece Prajini – hometown of Fanfare Ciocarlia and a rocking rhythm section. They effortlessly combine a knack for inventive arrangements with an ability to turn every single concert into a wild party.
Their music is positioned right at the crossroads between traditional popular music and club-oriented, so called Balkan Beats. This rich blend of sophisticated arrangements, traditional elements and modern outlook puts them in a unique position among all the current bands.
The Debut Album
Mahala Rai Banda's self-titled debut album was recorded in 2004 in Bucharest, Romania.Additional production and mix were carried out by Shantel
Shantel
Shantel, real name Stefan Hantel , is a German DJ and producer of Bukovina German Romanian descent, known for his work with gypsy brass orchestras, DJing and remixing traditional Balkan music with electronic beats...
and Marcus Darius in Frankfurt, Germany.
The mix was done in collaboration with Ionita Aurel (who is the band's leader) and Stéphane Karo.
The album was released on Crammed Discs
Crammed Discs
Crammed Discs is an independent record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Crammed was founded in 1980 by Marc Hollander of Aksak Maboul and has since released over 300 albums and 250 singles, working with artists from all over the world...
in early 2005 .
The Second Album
Mahala Rai Banda's second album “Ghetto Blasters” was recorded in 2009 in Berlin, Germany and Bucharest, Romania. The album was produced, recorded and mixed by Henry Ernst and Marc Elsner (former productions Fanfare Ciocarlia, Jony Iliev). The album was released on Asphalt Tango RecordsAsphalt Tango Records
Asphalt Tango Records is a Berlin-based record label specialising in Balkan Gypsy music and East European rock, psych-folk, cabaret and electronic music.-Origins:Asphalt Tango Production was formed by Henry Ernst and Helmut Neumann in 1997...
, in October 2009 .
The album climbed to position 2 in the World Music Charts Europe and was voted amongst the top ten "Best Albums Of The Year 2009" by UK's popular music magazine Songlines .
Achievements
Ever since the release of their debut album, Mahala Rai Banda's reputation has kept growing all around the world:- The band has played around 200 concerts in 26 countries, and appeared at major festivals and prestigious clubs and concert halls
- Their song "Mahalageasca" (both in its original version and in the shape of the rework made by Shantel
Shantel
Shantel, real name Stefan Hantel , is a German DJ and producer of Bukovina German Romanian descent, known for his work with gypsy brass orchestras, DJing and remixing traditional Balkan music with electronic beats...
) has appeared in successful US feature film Borat
Borat
Borat Sagdiyev is a satirical fictional character invented and performed by English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen...
, and in several other films and advertising campaigns.
- The album climbed to Nr 3 in the World Music Charts Europe
- Mahala Raï Banda have had their tracks remixed and/or reworked by prestigious electronic music producers and artists such as Nouvelle Vague, Felix B (from Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx are a British electronic dance music duo from London, England consisting of Felix Buxton born 1971 and Simon Ratcliffe born 1 December 1969. They first rose to popularity in the late 1990s...
), Balkan Beat Box
Balkan Beat Box
Balkan Beat Box is an Israeli musical group founded by Tamir Muskat, Ori Kaplan of Firewater and Big Lazy, and Tomer Yosef . As a musical project they often cooperate with a host of other musicians both in the studio as well as live...
, DJ Click, Russ Jones
Russ Jones
Russ Jones is a Canadian novelist, illustrator, and magazine editor, active in the publishing and entertainment industries over a half-century, best known as the creator of the magazine Creepy for Warren Publishing...
, Shantel
Shantel
Shantel, real name Stefan Hantel , is a German DJ and producer of Bukovina German Romanian descent, known for his work with gypsy brass orchestras, DJing and remixing traditional Balkan music with electronic beats...
and more . Most of these reworks appeared as part of the Electric Gypsyland albums.
- Mahala Raï Banda tracks have appeared on international compilations such as Buddha Bar (France), Bucovina Club (Germany), Balkan Bangers and Gypsy Beats (UK), Balearic Bisquits (Denmark), Balkanology (South Africa), Rough Guide to Eastern Europe (UK), Rromanu Suno (Serbia), Balkan Beats (Germany) Barrio Latino (France), Bar Gypsy (USA) and more, as well as in the soundtrack album of the "Borat" movie.
- Mahala Rai Banda is part of THE GYPSY QUEENS AND KINGS since 2009.
-Mahalageasca is on Little Big Planet 2
External links
- Mahala Rai Banda management company, Asphalt Tango Production
- Mahala Rai Banda CD Ghetto Blasters on, Asphalt Tango Production
- Mahala Rai Banda tour dates, Asphalt Tango Production
- http://www.crammed.be/index.php?id=37&rel_id=128Mini-site on the Crammed DiscsCrammed DiscsCrammed Discs is an independent record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Crammed was founded in 1980 by Marc Hollander of Aksak Maboul and has since released over 300 albums and 250 singles, working with artists from all over the world...
website].