Listening guide
for Running Cak

The following listening example comes from a live performance by Balawan and Batuan Gamelan at @ Newtown in October 2005. Another recording using vocals and lyrics can be found on their album, Globalism. See www.wayanbalawan.com Both versions can be compared to give a valuable insight into the group's musical process in performance.

Running Cak (3.2Mb) incorporates the characteristic Balinese vocal chant called kecak. Voices chant "cak" (pronounced chuk with a silent 'k') using several rhythms to create a rich texture.

0:00 Electric guitar with hi-hat pattern opens
0:08 Section A: Guitar and rindik (xylophone) play a lower descending pattern twice and then a higher descending pattern twice and then repeat. Drum kit and bass accompany.
0:20 Guitar and rindik play same Section A again
0:32 Guitar rhythm pattern B played twice followed by voice calling out 'ah'
0:45 Cak section using interlocking vocal patterns begins
0:59 Rhythm guitar break
1:20 Return to Section B guitar rhythm and rindik with voice call
1.33 Cak section
2:07 Back to intro pattern on electric guitar
2:13 Return to A section
2:37 Section B with alternate guitar pattern
2:50 Cak section
3:05 Solo drum
3:11 Solo kendang