WOMAD

Mec Yek

From Belgium, Slovak Republic

The fantastically groovy, cross-bred gypsy sound
The next time you hear a Euro-sceptic politician question just what the EU has ever done for us, point them in the direction of Mec Yek. For the European Community's value isn't merely economic; the free and frank exchange of culture has been much welcome too. Twenty years ago, Mec Yek simply wouldn't have existed - their personnel, spanning the continent's western and eastern reaches, would have been unlikely to have crossed each others' paths. Fronted by a pair of spirited Roma sisters, Mec Yek is the brainchild of Piet Maris, frontman with past WOMAD faves Jaune Toujours. His fascination with Eastern European gypsy culture has culminated in forming this tradition-savvy yet musically adventurous combo, one powered along by accordion, clarinet, double bass and drums. Along the way they've picked up an ever-increasing gaggle of admirers, including fRoots who praised the combination of "earthy traditionalism and hot jazz". Exactly the kind of mongrel sound that the isolationist politicos would hate.
(Biography by Nige Tassell 2009
Photography by Theophane Raballand)

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