Gangbe Brass Band

Whendo

World Village 468050

Everything becomes its opposite.  This theory- enantiodromia- became a hallmark of psychologist Carl Jung’s mental alchemy.  The true power of this idea, however, is not confided to textbooks or couches; it is the application in everyday circumstances.  One of the more common occurrences can be seen, oddly enough, with army marching music.  Time and again, sounds of military inspiration become the folk music of lower class populations.  We see it in India, the Balkans and throughout Africa, including Benin, bringing us to Gangbe Brass Band.  Meaning “mental,” Gangbe interweaves trumpets, sousaphones, saxophones, trombones and mental percussion and ritual Yoruba chants and local dance music.  The influence of neighboring Nigerian styles Afrobeat and Juji are laden in these unforgettably catchy vocal chants and horn-driven rhythms.  In fact, the Black President himself is honored in one of the Wendo’s most danceable tracks, “Remember Fela.”  Conscious of their role in both social and spiritual planes, the energetic outfit sought permission of local priests to reinvent sacred words; hence, a true blessing for wide-eared global audiences.  Singing in five local tongues and French, Whendo moves very much like Fela Kuti or King Sunny Ade record: continuous grooves with intermittent melodic moments swirling around center.  Like most African folk music, trance is first and foremost- maypole all banners fly from.  An extremely charged and passionate live outfit (few, if any, can remain seated while they’re on stage), their warlike declarations are sonic reminders that to be “armed” has many meanings and, like Fela said, music is a weapon.

DB