M.A.K.U SoundSystem New York City

Take with: sexy accents, beginner salsa, Vamos Bien, big band on drugs, party busses, a real good time, furious rhythms, energetic voices

M.A.K.U SoundSystem is performing at The Labb on Sunday, 12:30a-1:30a

cinemagraph by Andi Harman
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Individually and collectively, M.A.K.U SoundSystem (M.A.K.U) has been searching for a musical voice, experimenting in jazz, rock, hip-hop, and folklore. After a year of trying to build M.A.K.U. and delving into individual and cultural past, members simply came to accept themselves. M.A.K.U. in an immigrant experience, a life style, the musical expression of who and what already exists.

M.A.K.U was born between the years 2009 and 2010. Most of its band members are Colombian immigrants who live in New York City. M.A.K.U is an extension of a strong movement of musicians in Columbia and the diaspora that are exploring the textures of traditional music, native instruments and fitting them into a diverse urban landscape.

M.A.K.U live presents an eight-musician ensemble in a show full of pure energy, digital imagery and explosive drumming, taking the audience to far away gypsy lands, underground punk shows and the Caribbean coast – “starting somewhere in the afro-Colombian and ending in the jazz=punk stratosphere.”

In the short time span M.A.K.U has been together the band has independently produced two albums: Vamos Bien (2010) and MAKUMBALA (2011). Vamos Bien, M.A.K.U.’s first album, fuses modern and traditional sounds and captures M.A.K.U.’s original search and experimental core.  Quickly following Vamos Bien, MAKUMBALA was recorded over bleeding mics and rolling tapes and released on 7″ vinyl.

More than just popular cumbia rhythms, MAKUMBALA keeps true to its cultural heritage with catchy champeta rhythms, powerful beats from African inspired alegre drum and bridges urbanism with guest artist I-Jah Bones who breaks down a serious reggae verse and with the bands newtest addition, Felipe Quiroz on the synths, MAKUMBALA revs up each  track with inorganic grooves.

Past concerts have been listed in prominent media outlets such as the Villaga Voice, TimeOut NY, Remezcla NY and Chicago. M.A.K.U has performed at universities, festivals and venues along the East Coast including: Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago, IL), Joe’s Pub (NY, NY), BAMcafe Live (Brooklyn, NY), opener for Das Racist at the Ole Club (Swarthmore, PA), Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival (NY, NY), and Bennington College (Bennington, VT), to name a few. In the summer of 2011, M.A.K.U debuted in some of the hottest music venues in Bogota, Colombia.