Asian Dub Foundation
Asian Dub Foundation are a British
electronica band that plays a mix of rapcore, dub, dancehall and ragga, also
using rock instruments, acknowledging a punk influence. Their distinctive sound
also combines indo-dub basslines, searing sitar-inspired guitars and
‘traditional’ sounds, shot through with fast-chat conscious lyrics.
Asian Dub Foundation is better described
as a group that arose from a community rap organisation. The different forms of
music include toasting, dub, funky guitars and many other African
instrumentals. One of their most influential tracks is named Strong Culture
which gives the listener an idea of the Asian culture. "Their distinctive
sound is a combination of hard ragga-jungle rhythms, indo-dub basslines,
searing sitar-inspired guitars and 'traditional' sounds gleaned from their
parents' record collections, shot through with fast-chat conscious
lyrics".
Sanjay Gulabhai Tailor, Aka Sun-J,
joined the band as live midi/programmer and DJ soon after. This completed the
full live line-up of the band. After earning a reputation as formidable live
performers, the band — which now included dancer Bubble-E — won widespread
acclaim for the 1995 single "Rebel Warrior". Their second album
Rafi's Revenge was nominated for a Mercury Prize combining a unique combination
of punk energy with a jungle/reggae core. The single, 'Naxalite' was an ode to
the militant Naxalite movement in India. Tours to the United States with the
Beastie Boys and Japan followed to wide acclaim.[citation needed] Their
following album, Community Music, developed their sound further and received a
coveted 10/10 review in NME.
The band pursued other avenues
performing a live rescore to the film La Haine in 2001, and continued
performing it around the world for the next five years. They developed this
approach in 2004 with the film The Battle of Algiers, first performing the
piece at the Brighton dome on the same day that photographs of torture in Abu
Ghraib were released.
In 2003, they released Enemy of the
Enemy which became their best-selling album and contained the track
"Fortress Europe," a stinging attack on European immigration policy
along with "1000 Mirrors" a collaboration with Sinéad O'Connor about
a woman serving life for killing an abusive husband. In 2003, they played their
biggest gig in front of 100,000 people at Larzac in France at a celebration of
José Bové, a radical campaigning farmer. For 2005's Tank, they were joined by
On-U Sound collaborator Ghetto Priest on vocals.
In 2005, they won "Best
Underground" at the UK Asian Music Awards.
Bassist Dr Das announced his intention
to retire in May 2006 to resume teaching and produce his own music. He was
replaced by Martin Savale, aka Babu Stormz, who also plays bass with
British-Asian electro/grunge/hip-hop band Swami.
In September 2006, the dub/punk opera
"Gaddafi: A Living Myth", with music by Asian Dub Foundation, opened
at the London Coliseum. In Spring 2007, Asian Dub Foundation announced the
release of a best of compilation Timefreeze 1995-2007 which includes a bonus
disc of rare remixes and live tracks, featuring Chuck D, the lead rapper of
American hip hop group, Public Enemy. The album also features a new track
recorded with former vocalist Deeder Zaman. In May 2007 Asian Dub Foundation
performed a radio session and interview on the Bobby and Nihal show on BBC
Radio 1 where they performed three new tracks: "Climb On",
"Superpower" and "S.O.C.A.". In June 2007, they were the
only Western act to perform at the Festival of Gnawa music in Essaouira,
Morocco playing to a crowd of 60,000 people and collaborating with traditional
Gnawa musicians.[citation needed]
Between 2004 and 2007, when Aktarv8r was
not a member of the group, he played live on stage with the London band Oojami
who perform Middle Eastern belly dance music. On the album "Boom Shinga
Ling" released late in 2006, Aktarv8r plays on a couple of songs and is
credited on the album under his own name Aktar Ahmed.
In August 2007, Asian Dub Foundation
started playing with two new vocalists, Al Rumjen (previously with King Prawn)
and Aktarv8r returned after MC Spex was asked to leave the band. In November
and December 2007, Asian Dub Foundation recorded a new album, Punkara, with The
Go! Team producer, Gareth Parton. It was released in spring 2008 and followed
by an extensive tour of Europe and Japan.
In 2009, Asian Dub Foundation contributed
to the Indigenous Resistance project after having met up with the Atenco
resistance movement in Mexico. Asian Dub Foundation are at present working on
their new album provisionally entitled "A New London Eye" which will
feature Ministry of Dhol, Nathan "Flutebox" Lee, Chi 2 and Skrein.
Origin: London,
England
Genres: Rapcore,
hardcore punk, dub, breakcore, ragga, dancehall, bhangra
Years active: 1993–present
Labels: Slash,
Virgin, FFRR, EMI, Cooking Vinyl
Members: Steve Chandra Savale (aka
Chandrasonic), Sanjay Gulabbhai Tailor (aka Sun-J), John Pandit (aka Pandit G),
Prithpal Rajput (aka Cyber), Aktarv8r, Martin Savale, Al Rumjen, Aktar Ahmed.
Past members:Deeder Zaman (aka Master
D), Rocky Singh, Dr Das, Ghetto Priest, Lord Kimo, MC Spex.
Pictures:
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