WOMAD

Rango

From Egypt, Sudan

Lord of the trance
You could rightfully expect Hassan Bergamon's shoulders to buckle with the substantial weight of responsibility. He's the last living exponent of rango, the trance-inducing music of mystical, soul-cleansing ceremonies that have their origin - as does Hassan - in Sudan. Originally the music of 19th-century Sudanese slaves transplanted to Egypt, the music survived after slavery's abolition, although finally fell victim to religious opposition 40-odd years ago. As rango's sole surviving practitioner, Hassan is the owner of a battle-worn, 190-year-old balafon, also called a rango ¬- it's one of only three left in existence. Through this mighty, strident instrument, he forms the backbone of the Rango sound that's fleshed out by various cohorts playing lyres souped up with electric pick-ups and a whole arsenal of percussion. Add Hassan's commanding voice leading call-and-response chants and serious spiritual detoxification awaits. As Songlines magazine so precisely called it, this is "music that penetrates the bones like an X-ray".

(Biography written by Nige Tassell 2010)

Rango - Yalla Baladna

Rango on