Asian Dub Foundation
Enemy Of The Enemy

THE REVIEW

Imagine the fragrance of spices such as cinnamon, cumin, curry, chili, paprika. Then the suffocating humid heat of the Indian peninsula. Then the bazaars full of people yelling, laughing, and joking despite widespread poverty. Transport it all to a place where it rains 200 days a year in what was the capital of the Commonwealth, London, with its leaden gray sky, where that spice scent is still present in the Indian neighborhoods and restaurants, faded by the smothering smog.

These are the Asian Dub Foundation, a group that self-describes as "21st century MIDI warriors." They debuted in '95 with the album "Fact And Fictions" overshadowed by the Oasis. Then the explosion with the superb "Rafi's Revenge" in 1998 and the excellent follow-up of 2000 "Community Music."

The fourth effort by the group is this "Enemy Of The Enemy," which continues the successful formula of blending various musical genres and an abnormal number of instruments, from the sitar (indispensable) to the synth through distorted guitars, powerful basslines, and Jungle percussion. And above all, Deeder Zaman's voice that unleashes avalanches of words with his poorly concealed Indian accent.

The result, at first, seems quite predictable, not much different from the previous records. However, delving deeper into the listening, you can perceive a more evident Indian foundation so much so that at times the album seems "ethnic" as in the case of the splendid "Power To The Small Massive." The same happens with "Basta," which seems sung by Asha Bohsle, Sadi Rani or Nitin Sawhney.

Then it shifts towards dub with an intervention by Sinead O'Connor, who is somewhat ubiquitous these days, who, after the hundred windows of the Massive Attack, is also present in "1000 Mirrors."

But there's also room for references to the Beastie Boys in a song that alone is worth the album: "La Haine." A guitar riff on a heavy bassline, reminiscent of "Lookin' Down The Barrel Of A Gun."

Overall, the album is enjoyable, colorful, and interesting. It only loses interest when it seems a bit RAP and reminiscent of the Turkish Kartel. Perhaps it lacks the novel impetus of the milestone "R.A.F.I.", but overall, it leaves a good taste in the mouth.

If we wanted to play the "If it were..." game, I'd say if it were food, it would be tandoori chicken with curry carrots.

Spicy, seasoned