Makám

The Makám Ensemble established itself as the godfather of Hungarian world music and at the same time has become a new member of this scene.

Makám ensemble was formed in 1984 by Zoltán Krulik. Unil 1999 it mainly played instrumental ethno jazz. Their sound was nuanced with Balkan elements, Near and Far Eastern roots music and African effects or repetitive elements of contemporary music. The more recent period from 1999 is characterised by a greater use vocals and by thematic albums. The first in this line was ’SkanZen’, then came ’9 colinda’, ’Szindbád’, ’Anzix’, and ’Almanac’ with such female voices as Szilvia Bognár, Irén Lovász, Bea Palya, Ági Szalóki and Erika Lázár.

It reformed for the 2009 album ’Yanna Yova’, and ever since this band that is constantly giving concerts around Europe has became younger. Its sound has become more fresh and it seems they have opened themselves to pop and reggae. Thanks to this the Makám Ensemble established itself as the godfather of Hungarian world music and at the same time has become a new member of this scene.