Asian Dub Foundation,Regular Fries,Aziz and Invasian: The Astoria, 27.01.2000

Asian Dub Foundation's live performances have come a long way in the past three years. After releasing their 1996 debut 'Facts & Fictions' their supporting shows came as something of a revelation. Anyone who witnessed those gigs will remember being swept up and into the energy and righteous passion of the band's blend of dub basslines and drum 'n' bass breaks.

That was the ADF dynamic back then, a grinding and pounding dub bassline slowed to a stoned crawl, then, in a flash, an avalanche of breakbeats and fiery chants pushing the entire crowd into a collective frenzied skank. Since, ADF have become the name-drop of choice for the likes of Primal Scream and consequently the toast of the indie press, the hosts of tonight's gig.

Nonetheless, this crowd still doesn't seem like the natural home of this sound, it's all a bit too much flat beer and not enough spliff. Suspicion is accelerated when a group of South Londoners are overheard discussing the bands on the bill: "Asian Dub Foundation are alright but their from a different culture, so it's difficult to get into it, y'know…Regular Fries are wicked though."

Regular Fries do their thing to no greater or lesser effect than the last time and then the selector chooses, inexplicably, to subject us to 20 minutes of AC/DC. Which shows an innate understanding of the art of programming a live performance from ADF, right?

Still, our earlier fears prove unfounded when the band takes to the stage to deliver the lashing trio 'Committed To Life', 'Real Great Britain' and 'New Way, New Life', all tracks from their forthcoming album 'Community Music'. The crowd soon falls into line, exchanging shuffling for skankin', and bassist Dr. Das optimistically celebrates the array of skin tones crammed in the house: "It wasn't like this two years ago - this is the real Great Britain!"

The energy dynamic in the music remains the same patented recipe that wowed crowds three years ago but the way this band are making the sounds now is altogether more sophisticated. Complex layers of noise, from the steely, programmed breaks to the 'sheets of sound' created by the innovative guitar playing of Chandrasonic, communicate with the audience in a rarely broken bond. ADF are tight tonight.

They're also phenomenally impassioned, dedicating songs to the dearly departed I-Roy and Curtis Mayfield, judging from the crowd response, an event not overlooked by the rock press' audience. Dedications also go out to the WTO protesters as Master D implores us to use what little effective political power remains in our British hands, and refuse the products of the global power holders; Nestle, Nike, Tommy Hillfigure. Dr. Das is visibly moved as he urges us to read Satpal Ram, for the first time, addressing his 'wrongful' imprisonment in his own words, in Sunday's Observer (December 30). And finally, a shout goes out to John Pilger, an obvious kindred spirit.

'New Way, New Life' and 'Collective Mode' show the clear influence of Jamaican sing-jay Sizzla on Master D's increasingly melodic roots-reggae vocal style. Fortunately, the Bobo Shanti's radical religious beliefs are exactly what ADF stands against. Without even being able to make out the words that they speak, you feel the taught anger of protest shot through their sound and their ability to motivate is undeniable.

As they wind-up with the mesmerising encore of 'Scaling New Heights', we're confronted by a wonderful image. The closest thing we have to the attitude and energy of punk, now confronts us in the form of a group of Asian men, without a drummer, taking influence as much from the traditions of the East as from our own 'proud' rock history.

James Poletti