Facts and Fictions [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Asian Dub Foundation | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Beggars UK - Ada
• ASIN: B00006JCGH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,767 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Witness

2. PKNB

3. Jericho

4. Rebel Warrior

5. Journey

6. Strong Culture

7. TH9

8. Tu Meri

9. Debris

10. Box

11. Thacid 9 [Dub Version]

12. Return to Jericho [Dub Version]

Editorial Reviews

Beggars is pleased to domestically release ADF's groundbreaking debut album Facts and Fictions. With newly designed North American only artwork. Originally released overseas in 1995. Beggars Banquet. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ADF's Brilliant But Often Forgotten Debut, February 7, 2003

By 

Mintu Banerjee (Hamilton, ON Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Facts and Fictions (Audio CD)

"Facts and Fictions" was originally released in 1995 and when it came out, sounded like nothing else. Because critics couldn't categorize it, ADF's debut was soon forgotten as most of England was lost in a euphoric haze of MOR Brit Pop. This is a true shame because "Facts and Fictions" clearly foreshadows the birth of ADF's incredible vision. Musically the album combines many diverse styles including early jungle/drum and bass, hip hop, Bengali folk music, hindi filmi, bhangra and good guitar Brit pop, to name a few. There is also an unmistakable Bengali culture stamp throughout the album (two of the members are of Bengali background...Aniruddha Das, A/K/A Dr. Das and Deedar Zaman A/K/A Master D, who incidentally is the younger brother of Sam Zaman of State of Bengal fame). The brilliant "Rebel Warrior" (later to be re-recorded on "Community Music") which was influenced by one of the most famous poems of the great Bengali renaissance man Nazrul Islam (second only to Tagore) ends with a call for unity amongst Hindus and Muslims...truly the greatest issue facing Bengalis today. On the track "Strong Culture" there's also a shout out to Bangladesh...a musical first! But one of the most impressive statements on the album which foreshadows ADF's future brilliance in combining very diverse musical tapestries to create a sonic masterpiece is "Tu Meri". Starting out with some Indian samples, it breaks out into a tight early 90's hip hop attack. By the second half of the track thanks to the highly innovative Chandrasonic (Steve Chandra Savale), we get into a riff of what Brit Pop should sound like, then it is juxtaposed with a Sarangi sample...if this isn't ADF at work, I don't know what is. All the raw ingredients of ADF are on this album, the lyrics, the strong and very successful musical experimentation, and the early stages of Master D's rapping (who was still only 15/16 when ADF recorded this one). "...it's an education, the sounds of the Asian Dub Foundation" ...true dat!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most talented of our time..., April 29, 2004

By 

Nicholas L Watters (New Orleans!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Facts and Fictions (Audio CD)

Asian Dub Foundation are perhaps one of the most innovative and talented groups of this era. Master D's rhythmically cound lyrics show a distinct style, along with chandrasonic's trippy eastern guitar riffs and Dr Das' drum n' bass-like bass beats. Almost every song they produce is a pleasure to listen to.
i would buy this album immediatley if i didn't have it, along with their other albums.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF GREATEST DEBUT ALBUMS EVER!!, September 20, 2000

By 

justified and ancient (chorley,lancashire,england) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Facts & Fictions (Audio CD)

I cannot believe no one else has reviewed this amazing album, especially since its Asian Dub Foundation's finest. (I think that its better than Rafi's Revenge and a lot better than Community Music.) Every song on the album is excellent, my favourite being the reggae epic that is Jericho. However what makes the album absolutely awesome is the brilliant combination of the dub sound mixed with drum and bass to make the distinct, unique sound associated with ADF. What makes the album awesome is the angry, in yer-face rapping of Deeder and his ' perfectly capturing the mood at the time' and 'I've been persecuted by English society' lyrics. Ultimately though, what sets this album apart from its more popular counterparts is the sheer energy involved in the music and the raw quality of it. In ADF's later albums the music unfortunately seemed to be a lot more commercial and seemed to be lacking the raw power of their debut. Indeed, ADF seem to give it their all on this album. It wouldn't sound out of place in the 70's where racial tension was rife but sadly 30 years later it still exists to some extent so therefore Deeder views on English society and racism are as valid as ever. Rarely has nineties music sounded so explosive than on this album. I cannot recommend it enough. To all ADF fans who have Rafi's Revenge and Community Music, and music fans who want a masterpiece in their CD collection, Facts and Fictions is a must. It is unfortunate that it was virtually ignored on its release since people and the media were obsessed with the tiresome indie scene and Britpop, but lets hope that as more people discover ADF's music the true greatness of their debut album will revealed.