# Mahala Rai Banda > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mahala_Rai_Banda > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mahala_Rai_Banda.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahala_Rai_Banda > Source revision: 1311700376 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Romanian gypsy band This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Mahala Rai Banda" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Mahala Rai Banda Background information Origin Bucharest, Romania Genres Lăutărească music, popular music Years active since 2004 (2004) Website www.mahalaraibanda.ro Musical artist **Mahala Rai Banda** is a [Romani](/source/Romani_people) band based in Bucharest ([Romania](/source/Romania)). The band was formed by violinist and composer Aurel Ionita, who originates from a family of [lăutari](/source/L%C4%83utari) from the village of [Clejani](/source/Clejani). He is related to several members of [Taraf de Haïdouks](/source/Taraf_de_Ha%C3%AFdouks).[1] The band plays Balkan-influenced music. Instrumentation used by the band includes violins, accordions, and brass instruments played by musicians from [Zece Prăjini](/source/Dag%C3%A2%C8%9Ba). Their music includes a mixture of traditional popular music and Balkan-influenced club music ([Balkan Beats](/source/Balkan_music)). Their music is known for its blend of arrangements, traditional elements, and modern approaches.[2] ## The Debut Album Mahala Rai Banda's self-titled debut album was recorded in 2004 in [Bucharest](/source/Bucharest), [Romania](/source/Romania). Additional production and mixing were carried out by [Shantel](/source/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](/source/Crammed_Discs) in early 2005. ## The Second Album Mahala Rai Banda's second album “Ghetto Blasters” was recorded in 2009 in [Berlin](/source/Berlin), [Germany](/source/Germany) and [Bucharest](/source/Bucharest), [Romania](/source/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.[3] 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)](/source/Songlines_(magazine)).[4] ## 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.[5] Their song "Mahalageasca" (both in its original version and [Shantel](/source/Shantel)'s remix) has appeared in the British-American feature film *[Borat](/source/Borat)*, as well as in several other films and advertising campaigns. Their debut album climbed to Number 3 in the World Music Charts Europe [6] Mahala Raï Banda have also had their tracks remixed and/or reworked by electronic music producers and artists such as [Nouvelle Vague](/source/Nouvelle_Vague_(band)), Felix B (from [Basement Jaxx](/source/Basement_Jaxx)), [Balkan Beat Box](/source/Balkan_Beat_Box), DJ Click, [Russ Jones](/source/Russ_Jones), [Shantel](/source/Shantel) and more.[7][8] 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 [9] since 2009, and have been featured on the 2011 platforming game *[LittleBigPlanet 2](/source/LittleBigPlanet_2)*.[10] The song has also been known for being used as the intro song to the Romanian animated comedy, Animat Planet Show. ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Various. ["Pop CDs of the week: Kings of Leon, Manic Street Preachers and more"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/3626452/Pop-CDs-of-the-week-Kings-of-Leon-Manic-Street-Preachers-and-more.html). Retrieved 12 July 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Mahala Rai Banda in session for Cerys"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00y6m18). *BBC*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Mahala Rai Banda - Ghetto Blasters"](http://www.asphalt-tango.de/records/banda/artist.html). *www.asphalt-tango.de*. Retrieved 12 July 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Charts - World Music Charts Europe"](http://www.wmce.de/). *www.wmce.de*. Retrieved 12 July 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Divanoprod.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081227111045/http://www.divanoprod.com/). *www.divanoprod.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.divanoprod.com) on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["WORLD MUSIC CHARTS EUROPE | Charts | January 2005"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081113104259/http://www.wmce.de/_/wmce/index_jsp/key=344143.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.wmce.de/_/wmce/index_jsp/key=344143.html) on 2008-11-13. Retrieved 2009-01-01. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Pitchfork: Animal Collective, Nouvelle Vague Play Gypsy Music"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080630060415/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/38551-animal-collective-nouvelle-vague-play-gypsy-music). Archived from [the original](http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/38551-animal-collective-nouvelle-vague-play-gypsy-music) on 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-12-29. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Monde"](http://www.telerama.fr/musique/16664-monde.php). December 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Gypsy Queens and Kings - Singing Tales Of Gypsy Life"](http://www.gypsyqueensandkings.com). *www.gypsyqueensandkings.com*. Retrieved 12 July 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Album: Mahala Raï Banda, Ghetto Blasters, (Asphalt Tango)"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-mahala-rai-banda-ghetto-blasters-asphalt-tango-1809322.html). *Independent*. 24 October 2009. ## External links - [Mahala Rai Banda management company, Asphalt Tango Production](http://www.asphalt-tango.de) - [Mahala Rai Banda CD Ghetto Blasters on, Asphalt Tango Production](http://www.asphalt-tango.de/records/banda/artist.html) - [Mahala Rai Banda tour dates, Asphalt Tango Production](http://www.asphalt-tango.de/banda/tour.html) - [Mini-site](http://www.crammed.be/index.php?id=37&rel_id=128) on the [Crammed Discs](/source/Crammed_Discs) website. v t e Romani people in Romania Demographics and history Romani language Boyash Ciurari Kalderash Ursari List of towns in Romania by Romani population Slavery in Romania Eugen Grigore case Deportations of Romani people to Transnistria 1993 Hădăreni riots 2006 Ferentari riot Organisations Aven Amentza National Agency for the Roma Party of the Roma Romani CRISS Initiatives Decade of Roma Inclusion National Day of Commemorating the Holocaust Racism Breaks the Game Musical groups Fanfare Ciocărlia Shukar Collective Taraful Haiducilor Mahala Rai Banda People Delia Grigore Nicolae Păun Mădălin Voicu Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Artists MusicBrainz Other IdRef --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mahala Rai Banda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahala_Rai_Banda) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahala_Rai_Banda?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.