Balkan Reggae Works Pretty Well

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MAHALA RAI BANDA

Balkan Reggae

Asphalt Tango Records 3713

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Occasionally things come across my desk that are just so conceptually odd that I know instantly they will be either a train wreck or a pleasure cruise. Such was my reaction to Balkan Reggae, which I’m happy to report is the latter type of journey. Here’s the set up: Mahala Rai Banda is a well-known Romanian band that is no stranger to mash-up sounds. Generally labeled a “gypsy” band, it is at least musically true to the travelers’ spirit in that it blends folk tunes, brassy jazz, pop, and rock. So why not take it another level and add ska, funk, conjunto, and reggae to the mix? That’s precisely what it has done, but in an unexpected manner. Mahala does it dub style–often stripping out the vocals, but sometimes retaining raps or the comments of dub masters. Dubbing allows the band to play “with” artists such as Carib bluesman Errol Linton, accordion wizard Koby Israelite, or Bosnia’s pop/funk band La Cherga.

The album purports to be in honor of the 50^th anniversary of Jamaican independence, but it’s far more diverse than that. Most of the mix masters–Mad Professor, Nick Manaseeh, JStar, G-Vibes–have been influenced by Caribbean music, but Mahala Rai Banda still stand in the musical center of most of the selections. Luckily, the band has the wisdom to stick to its strength–energetic tunes heavy on brass and fiery fiddle. And, thank heaven, Mahala does not attempt faux accents or do bad Bob Marley mashes. Most of the tunes end up being an unorthodox pastiche of reggae back beats set to 120 beats-per-minute dance tempos against a Balkan backdrop. Got that? It probably works best in an actual dance hall, but let’s give high marks for a bold effort.--Rob Weir

For a sample try this slower-paced track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jwgm6XmoA4