Customer Reviews

Rafi's Revenge

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before the misnomer of Asian Underground was ever quoted, there were a handful of truly politically conscious musical rebels of the South Asian diaspora. ADF (and possibly early Fun-da-mental) truly defined and perfected this genre and this album proves it. "Rafi's Revenge" is actually a re-energized and re-recorded version of the French only release "R.A.F.I." from the year before. Where "R.A.F.I" was an excellent album, "Rafi's Revenge" achieved perfection. Musically, "Rafi's Revenge" is heaviest on the ragga jungle/drum and bass side with healthy doses of organic samples (thanks to Sun-J and Pandit G), seering guitar statements (via Chandrasonic), and pulsing yet melodic dub bass lines (from Dr. Das). The young Deeder's unmatchable mc'ing, rapping, toasting, and chanting takes their music to an even higher level of musical depth. If this was all that ADF had to offer they would still be superb, but their lyrics leap ADF into dimensions rarely attained. Listen to Naxalite, Assassin, and Free Satpal Ram. If you don't understand the South Asian diaspora's past and present, you'll soon get your enlightment and realize that all of these themes and messages are indeed global and universal. ADF proved the best way to change the world is to change the way we listen to music...that is, make sure the music is as radical as the lyrics, never compromise on your spirit of experimentation, always push musical boundaries, but most importantly, produce some of the most incredible music that anyone has ever heard regardless of musical genre. Asian Dub Foundation...Zindabad!!!

I wouldn't really give this 4 stars, more like 3.5 stars. It's a really good album, don't get me wrong. ADF aren't hailed as one of the two founders of the Asian Underground movement for nothing. But after the first few times leaping to it, it kind of gets dull. It's all very trippy and hip-hoppy, but it takes you nowhere compared to the transcendental grooves of Talvin Singh. The socially-loaded lyrics are nice and whoever that is singing can really belt it out. Don't hesitate in buying this CD, but at the same time don't think this is all there is to Asian Underground. ADF started it off well, but they just aren't holding up to what they started.

For whatever reason, I really liked punk when I bought this CD. Now, I've gotten sick of most of my punk CDs, but I still like ADF. In fact, I listened to it this morning. They've got nice funky beats, catchy choruses, and addictive riffs. Some songs worth checking out are Buzzing, Free Satpal RAM, and most of the other stuff on there. I can describe them most accurately as "funky," i believe. They sound kind of like Junkie XL if he used samples from ethnic Indian music. Definitely an album worth buying.

If you like the musical smorgesboard of the sound and production of these multi-ethnic, pop-political rants, then pick up Transglobal Underground's "Yes Boss, Food Corner." BOTH groups, in my mind, are the BEST in driving, chanting, strangely harmonic and stunningly unique modern eastern world music!!!