By Jim Rowland
Almost a genre unto themselves, mixing up jungle, dub, Asian and rap with wild rock guitars and a punk rock attitude, London’s Asian Dub Foundation have been doing their thing for 30 years now, and have shared stages with the likes of Rage Against The Machine, Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Primal Scream and countless others over that time. To celebrate that milestone, they release ‘94 – Now: Collaborations’ this month, a compilation of some of their best collaborations over the years, featuring Iggy Pop, Sinéad O’Connor, Stewart Lee, Chuck D and many more.
It’s not too often you hear a Bhangra/proto-punk fusion, but that’s just what you get with the Iggy collaboration, giving the Stooges classic ‘No Fun’ a radical make-over and a more grooving, laid back feel. Sinead O’Conner is joined by Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien for their track ‘1000 Mirrors’. Produced by the legendary Adrian ‘On-U Sound’ Sherwood, this is a quality slice of laid back dub reggae.
In contrast to that laid back approach, the collaboration with Primal Scream, ‘Free Satpal Ram’, is a hard-hitting, frenzied and intense hip-hop/rock fusion, as is the live recording of the Public Enemy track ‘Black Steel In the Hour Of Chaos’, which features Chuck D guesting.
It’s not just about the big name ‘rock world’ collaborations though. The collaboration with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, ‘Taa Deem’, is excellent, fusing traditional Pakistan sounds with big beats and gritty guitars, with similar results on the Indo-jungle punk assault of ‘Broken Britain’ featuring MC Chowerman. ‘Collective Mode’, with ADF joining forces with Japanese dubsters Audio Active, is another quality track oozing the On-U Sound influence.
Special mention must be made for ‘Comin’ Over Here’, utilising a satirical comedy sketch from Stewart Lee, a track which made No.1 on many charts on the day Brexit was confirmed. It’s a brilliant and clever attack on the scourge of modern-day right-wing politics. Play it at maximum volume to Nigel Farage if you ever get the chance.
Fusing together a myriad of different musical styles, flavours and moods, every track on this album is a belter, and would serve as an excellent introduction in to ADF’s world.
- ‘94 – Now: Collaborations’ will be released on Friday (27 September).