Mahala Raï Banda

This sensational new band from the Gypsy ghetto of Bucharest combines a staple Romanian diet of violins & accordions with a horn section consisting of army brass band veterans, powered by a funky rhythm section. Formed by two people closely related to the Taraf de Haïdouks (violonist/arranger Aurel Ionita and Taraf musical director Stéphane Karo), the Mahala Raï Banda have recorded this debut album in Romania, and mixed it in collaboration with electrogypsy whiz Shantel.

Thanks to their powerful rhythms and their inventive arrangements, the Mahala Raï Banda are bound to play a central role in the irresistible rise of Balkan Gypsy music, which has been becoming increasingly popular among the younger generations in Western Europe.