Firm Foundations
The artwork for the new ADF album depicts the European passport, a symbol of freedom that has now been squished under the Brexit boot; a lifeline for musicians has been mercilessly murdered at the hands of the ignorant.
The contents are not unique; they are another voice to add to the mayhem we are enduring right now. Asian Dub Foundation are made of sterner stuff than most, maybe being POC they have seen and suffered more than most. They attack on the front foot, not shying away from what is true and they won’t apologise if the truth hurts. The ‘I’m not racist but…’ brigade better watch out as each track launches itself out of the cannon and into the cesspit of hatred and ignorance.
The distinctive drum and bass beats blast around every crevice in the style of The Prodigy, it’s time to dance all the crap away. A story that is militant, always pushing forward and testing boundaries, as you will see on ‘Frontline’ we have Chilean Rap artist Ana Tijoux, bringing her talent to the fore.
We have the fire-breathing anthem of freedom denied ‘Coming Over Here’ featuring Stewart Lee which is a highlight, such a rabble rouser, energised by the techno beats. The rise of the Far Right has prompted such songs to try and bridge some of the divisions that have been wrongly created. Music that has its finger on the pulse of ongoing situations and in the hands of ADF, they are translated into this fierce and feisty soundscape. The inclusion of a Palestinian artist here is a first for me, 47 Soul feature on ‘Human’ and what better band than them to discuss the attributes of humanity and equality. Music is a universal language; it is used here to percolate the masses in the hope of educating and opening up conversations on things we don’t understand. The instrumental track ‘Realignment’ provides some comfort, a delicious infusion of classical Indian techniques and characteristics.
The industrial, metallic scraping of ‘Mindlock’ forges this piece for which no words are necessary. There are words, however, on ‘Youthquake’ an excerpt from the damning speech by young activist Greta Thunberg who has illuminated the public conscious about climate change and all the dangers it will bring if we fail to act now.
The essence of this style of music is primal, primitive and tribal appealing to our inherent nature, which has supposedly evolved over the years to make us, civilised, sometimes I think that is up for debate. Heading for a ‘Smash And Grab’ finish, who knows what the future will be, but arm yourselves with this treasury and you won’t go far wrong.
A Rap, Rock and Reggae amalgamation, that has ultimately created a genre of their own making, and no mistaking that it is still recognisable as an important body of work and demands that you make your way to the dance floor this instant, a bit of ADF never hurt anyone.
Azra Pathan
Asian Dub Foundation – Access Denied out now