The original Asian/Western crossovers are back and on form.

There’s a lot of interest in Asian urban music at the moment. So it seems appropriate that the first band to really succeed in making the transition from the Asian underground to the mainstream should be returning with a new album, Enemy Of The Enemy, their fourth UK release.

“It seems that Asian music has either got to be exotic and remind you of your recent Goa holiday or be ‘deeply spiritual’. And it isn’t. Bhangra is urban music,” says John Pandit, civil rights worker and DJ with ADF. “The industry seems to think that British audiences aren’t ready for it yet. Don’t insult their intelligence. Don’t manufacture pop left, right and centre. People love new things, they love to hear new stuff and they’re not afraid of a different sound.”

Asian Dub Foundation began in 1993 at the London-based Community Music, an organisation offering music education in deprived areas. Starting off as a sound system, Pandit bassist Dr Das and rapper Deeder Zaman began playing anti-racist gigs. Their political stance still forms a fundamental basis for their music and they’ve added members, most of them attendees of Community Music. “It comes hand in hand,” says John of the relationship between ADF and Community Music.

Enemy Of The Enemy is no great departure for them in terms of sound and attitude. The dub basslines, jungle loops, sitar-influenced rock guitars and Beastie Boy-esque delivery are all still intact. There is however a more mature, subtle approach under the guiding hand of veteran producer and longtime inspiration Adrian Sherwood. Also included are some interesting collaborations from Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien, Hindi vocalist Sonia Mehta and, notably, Sinead O’Connor.

“The song was done and we needed somebody who could give it that emotional intensity. So it was a dream to get somebody like Sinead on it,” says John. It’s a standout track from what is the welcome return of one of the most interesting and overlooked multicultural bands in Britain. Matt Walton 30 January 03

Enemy Of The Enemy is released on Labels on 03 February 03.

useful link: www.asiandubfoundation.com