{{Short description|Romanian gypsy band}} {{refimprove|date=December 2008}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Mahala Rai Banda | image = Mahala Rai Banda (6001899688).jpg | alt = | caption = | background = group_or_band <!-- mandatory format: please do not change or remove --> | alias = | origin = [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]] | genre = [[Lăutărească music]], [[Romanian popular music|popular music]] | years_active = since {{start date|2004}} | label = | website = {{URL|https://www.mahalaraibanda.ro/}} | current_members = | past_members = | module = }} '''Mahala Rai Banda''' is a [[Romani people|Romani]] band based in Bucharest ([[Romania]]). The band was formed by violinist and composer Aurel Ionita, who originates from a family of [[lăutari]] from the village of [[Clejani]]. He is related to several members of [[Taraf de Haïdouks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/3626452/Pop-CDs-of-the-week-Kings-of-Leon-Manic-Street-Preachers-and-more.html|title=Pop CDs of the week: Kings of Leon, Manic Street Preachers and more|last=Various|publisher=|accessdate=12 July 2017}}</ref> The band plays Balkan-influenced music. Instrumentation used by the band includes violins, accordions, and brass instruments played by musicians from [[Dagâța|Zece Prăjini]]. Their music includes a mixture of traditional popular music and Balkan-influenced club music ([[Balkan music|Balkan Beats]]). Their music is known for its blend of arrangements, traditional elements, and modern approaches.<ref>{{cite web|work = BBC |title = Mahala Rai Banda in session for Cerys |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00y6m18}}</ref>

== The Debut Album ==

Mahala Rai Banda's self-titled debut album was recorded in 2004 in [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]]. Additional production and mixing were carried out by [[Shantel]] and Marcus Darius in Frankfurt, Germany. The mix was done in collaboration with Ionita Aurel (the band's leader) and Stéphane Karo. The album was released on [[Crammed Discs]] 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. The album was released on Asphalt Tango Records, in October 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asphalt-tango.de/records/banda/artist.html|title=Mahala Rai Banda - Ghetto Blasters|website=www.asphalt-tango.de|accessdate=12 July 2017}}</ref> The album climbed to 2nd place in the World Music Charts Europe charts, and was voted amongst the top ten "Best Albums Of The Year 2009" by [[Songlines (magazine)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wmce.de/|title=Charts - World Music Charts Europe|website=www.wmce.de|accessdate=12 July 2017}}</ref>

== Achievements ==

Ever since the release of their debut album, Mahala Raï Banda has performed over 200 concerts in 26 countries, and appeared at major festivals and clubs and concert halls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.divanoprod.com|title=Divanoprod.com|website=www.divanoprod.com|accessdate=12 July 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227111045/http://www.divanoprod.com/|archivedate=27 December 2008}}</ref> Their song "Mahalageasca" (both in its original version and [[Shantel]]'s remix) has appeared in the British-American feature film ''[[Borat]]'', as well as in several other films and advertising campaigns. Their debut album climbed to Number 3 in the World Music Charts Europe <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmce.de/_/wmce/index_jsp/key=344143.html |title=WORLD MUSIC CHARTS EUROPE &#124; Charts &#124; January 2005 |accessdate=2009-01-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113104259/http://www.wmce.de/_/wmce/index_jsp/key=344143.html |archivedate=2008-11-13 }}</ref> Mahala Raï Banda have also had their tracks remixed and/or reworked by electronic music producers and artists such as [[Nouvelle Vague (band)|Nouvelle Vague]], Felix B (from [[Basement Jaxx]]), [[Balkan Beat Box]], DJ Click, [[Russ Jones]], [[Shantel]] and more.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/38551-animal-collective-nouvelle-vague-play-gypsy-music |title=Pitchfork: Animal Collective, Nouvelle Vague Play Gypsy Music |accessdate=2008-12-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630060415/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/38551-animal-collective-nouvelle-vague-play-gypsy-music |archivedate=2008-06-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telerama.fr/musique/16664-monde.php|title=Monde|date=December 2006 |publisher=|accessdate=12 July 2017}}</ref> Most of these reworks appeared as part of the ''Electric Gypsyland'' album series. Mahala Raï Banda tracks have appeared on international compilations including ''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 others. Mahala Raï Banda has also formed part of THE GYPSY QUEENS AND KINGS tour <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gypsyqueensandkings.com|title=Gypsy Queens and Kings - Singing Tales Of Gypsy Life|website=www.gypsyqueensandkings.com|accessdate=12 July 2017}}</ref> since 2009, and have been featured on the 2011 platforming game ''[[LittleBigPlanet 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|work = Independent |title = Album: Mahala Raï Banda, Ghetto Blasters, (Asphalt Tango) |date = 24 October 2009 |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-mahala-rai-banda-ghetto-blasters-asphalt-tango-1809322.html}}</ref> The song has also been known for being used as the intro song to the Romanian animated comedy, Animat Planet Show.

== References == <references />

== External links == * [http://www.asphalt-tango.de Mahala Rai Banda management company, Asphalt Tango Production] * [http://www.asphalt-tango.de/records/banda/artist.html Mahala Rai Banda CD Ghetto Blasters on, Asphalt Tango Production] * [http://www.asphalt-tango.de/banda/tour.html Mahala Rai Banda tour dates, Asphalt Tango Production] * [http://www.crammed.be/index.php?id=37&rel_id=128 Mini-site] on the [[Crammed Discs]] website.

{{Romanian Roma topics}}

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[[Category:Romanian musical groups]] [[Category:Romanian Romani musical groups]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 2004]]