Mahala Rai Banda and The Trans-Siberian March Band, Rich Mix | reviews, news & interviews
Mahala Rai Banda and The Trans-Siberian March Band, Rich Mix
Mahala Rai Banda and The Trans-Siberian March Band, Rich Mix
This Romanian brass band were perhaps a little too heavy on the brass
Thursday, 04 August 2011
Mahala Rai Banda: long may they keep the bar staff happy wherever they play
Variety, as they say, is the spice of life. So it’s something to both celebrate and ruminate upon, that on Tuesday night I was reviewing a gig at which the guitar was undisputed king, whereas last night I was standing before an 11-piece band that didn’t include a single guitar. But the Romanian big band Mahala Rai Banda produce such a brassily dense sound that it’s hard to imagine even the most cranked-up Strat being able to get a chord in edgeways.
Variety, as they say, is the spice of life. So it’s something to both celebrate and ruminate upon, that on Tuesday night I was reviewing a gig at which the guitar was undisputed king, whereas last night I was standing before an 11-piece band that didn’t include a single guitar. But the Romanian big band Mahala Rai Banda produce such a brassily dense sound that it’s hard to imagine even the most cranked-up Strat being able to get a chord in edgeways.
Explore topics
Share this article
The future of Arts Journalism
You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!
We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d
And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more New music
Album: Hifi Sean & David McAlmont - Twilight
Indie veterans burrow deeper into their new electronica-flavoured guise
theartsdesk Radio Show 36 - legendary producer Joe Boyd discusses his recent book on global music
From being producer of Pink Floyd and Nick Drake to running an influential global music label
Album: Biig Piig - 11:11
Pop so slick it slides right by you... until you start paying attention
Album: Inhaler - Open Wide
Dublin indie rock quartet expand and adapt their sound
Album: Guided By Voices - Universe Room
Unique soundscapes and a dynamic approach with clear standout tracks
Album: The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow
The Canadian superstar's latest is mopey and overlong but has its moments
Formal Sppeedwear, The Windmill review - Stoke-on-Trent trio reinvigorates the new wave era
Daisy fresh idiosyncrasy which isn’t nostalgia
Album: Cymande - Renascence
A brave and mostly brilliant attempt to revive half-century-old magic
Album: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Purple Bird
Will Oldham exudes suitably laidback vibes from deep in the heart of Nashville
theartsdesk on Vinyl 88: Violent Femmes, Ringo Starr, ARXX, Dexter Gordon, Black Star, Dennis Bovell and more
The wildest, most wide-ranging record reviews in our galaxy
Album: Gary Kemp - This Destination
The master songwriter can't help but write a catchy tune
Add comment