Ali Hassan Kuban successfully transformed the complex rural rhythms and trance-like chants of Nubia – an ancient culture straddling the border regions of Egypt and Sudan – and blended them with elements of Western instrumentation. He created an emotive and danceable music that became celebrated, not only in the Nubian community of Cairo but around the world. An extraordinary man with a modest but charming personality, his death in 2001 was mourned by music lovers across the globe. The Rough Guide To Ali Hassan Kuban charts his career and includes previously unreleased material.