Asian Dub Foundation – Enemy of the Enemy

Fusing drum n bass, heavy dub, bhangra, wicked lyrical flows and rock guitar I’ll just call it the ADF sound. Anyone who’s managed to hear the previous albums "Rafi’s Revenge" or "Community Music" knows what I am talking about. Hailing from the Asian sound system projects in the UK, ADF show us the profits of such a diverse upbringing in sound. Championed by the likes of Primal Scream and Andrew Weatherall back in the day; ADF, with their exhilarating live shows, were almost the definition of the ‘Asian Underground’. Early releases confirmed the energy and power of not only their music, but also their message.

Against this backdrop I was eagerly awaiting their latest release, "Enemy of the Enemy". Charismatic MC Deeder has unfortunately left the group to pursue grassroots civil rights and anti-racism causes, but founders Dr Das, Pandit G, Chandrasonic and Sun-J are still in full effect, augmented by MCs from their ADFED sound sytems. ADF continue to do what they do best – agitating and subverting modern culture with their uncompromising and infectious rhythms.

ADF have always confronted the issues facing a multi racial Britain head on and "Enemy of the Enemy" is an album dealing with some uncompromising subjects. From the problems facing the Asian youth in the UK, dispelling ant-immigration myths to domestic abuse, they are unafraid to deal with and expose societies failings. "Enemy of the Enemy" retains the ADF sound, rising sitars over jungle rhythms and deep dub-bass provide the perfect musical tapestry for this journey. 'Fortress Europe' opens the album in fine style; kicking drums over a rising sitar and Indian vox drenched opening, before you know it your toes are tapping to the beats and the rapping is delivering blows on the Kosovo situation and the plight of refugees, their role and future of a European community - We’ve got the right to know the situation, we’re the children of globalisation; no borders, only true connections; light the fuse for the insurrection. Sinead O’Connor crops up to beautifully chronicle the case of an abusive relationship on '1000 Mirrors', and long time collaborator MC Navigator makes a welcome return on the blazin’ 'Power to the Small Massive'. Thundering dub bass and more atmospheric beats vary the action deliciously and there are also echoes of the band’s recent visit to Brazil, both less obviously in the album’s percussion and more overtly in the song '19 Rebellions' about the prison riots in Brazil. Evoking 'Buzzin’' and 'New Way', 'New Life' (from the albums RR and CM), 'Rise to the Challenge' is almost the anthem of the album and of ADF at this point in time. Combining their instrumental skills and a message of listening and learning, they implore us to feel the rhythms and make the best we can. The songs 'Dhol Rinse' and 'Basta' showcase newer leanings in their musical direction, with 'Cyberabad' a stand out for me – a real stormer of an instrumental.

On "Enemy of the Enemy" ADF show that they not only have something still to say, but a wonderful way of saying it. The music on this album is so diverse, so fresh and energetic - almost a symbol of the group - and it demands to be listened to. This is the future of the digital underclass.