Call me a snob, but why do the best concerts in Bristol attract the least number of punters? A pitifully small audience turned out for an evening of what the publicity called 'Sudanese voodoo trance music'. Rango are now based in Egypt, playing traditional instruments ranging from crystal-toned lyres and tanburas to percussive Sudanese balafons. Add a plethora of other percussion instruments plus spirited vocals and you have a recipe for joyous music-making.
The evening started with a couple of numbers featuring lyre and percussion - the result was the sort of impenetrable polyrhythm I associate with late nights in the Siam tent at Womad. The rest of the evening was a headlong dash towards darbuka/bass drum-led tunes as the band expanded to involve other instrumentalists and singers. The driving percussion got us out of our seats and the spectacular costumes and dancing lent a visual excitement that equalled the music.
I was reminded of El Tanbura at times, but Rango were more exciting, energetic and edgy. A very fine band.
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