Sampling the Asian Underground

Betelnutters
Ananda Shankar & State of Bengal
Walking On [2000]
[DL] [Buy]

Rebel Warrior
Asian Dub Foundation
Community Music [2000]
[DL] [Buy]

I Spy
Death in Vegas
Dead Elvis [1997]
[DL] [Buy]

Third World Lover
Kid Koala & Dynamite D
Bombay the Hard Way, Vol. 2: Electric Vindaloo [2001]
[DL] [Buy]

Traveller [Kid Loco's Once Upon a Time in the Mid East mix]
Talvin Singh
RemixSingh OK [2000]
[DL] [Buy]

Here's a nice sampling of Asian Underground beats. Some of which are pure from the motherland while others are simply riding the Indian influence.

Ananda Shakar & State of Bengal's 'Betelnutters' is a great up-beat track set to a sweet sitar, it's hard to ignore the groove that these guys set. Not enough can be said about Asian Dub Foundation, my buddy Rob introduced me to these guys and I've been loving them ever since. At times their political undertone can undermine the actual music [I do not intend to discount their message however]. 'Rebel Warrior' is one of their finer tracks - it gives you something to move to as well as a theme for airborne fist thrusting. Death in Vegas, are not true members of the Asian Underground by any ethnic means, but their track 'I Spy' fits our mood today quite well, with the welcome addition of an organ to the sitar and an almost saddening beat. Kid Koala & Dynamite D's 'Third World Lover' is a turntablists' gem, in fact the entire album [containing fused beats and well sewn samples from various Bollywood films] is a must-listen [so listen now!]. Topping it off with Talvin Singh's 'Traveller' wouldn't have been enough [because the album that it's on is quite easy to find] - so instead I opted for 'Kid Loco's Once Upon a Time in the Mid East mix' [taken from the elusive 'RemixSingh' album] which takes an already fantastic track and takes it to a different level [I'm not sure if I like this version better though]. This solid 5 track set is sure to please, even with the absence of Nitin Sawney [we'll save him for another day].

Enjoy.