It is always interesting to hear people from different countries interpret and play music not ordinarily associated with their own culture. Of course most people know that reggae itself is a slowed-down version of ska music. And that ska was originally Jamaican musician's moving interpretation of American R&B and jazz music. So, cross-pollination is nothing new to reggae. On 1999's "DUB OF ASIA," famous British and Asian hardcore dance DJ / Producer BALLY SAGOO ventures into the realm of reggae dub. Usually known for fusing traditional Indian music with progressive western beats, SAGOO tries his hand at Rasta inspired music and the results are a combination of some of the most brilliant eastern and reggae dub sounds ever produced.BALLY SAGOO became popular by releasing a remix of the single" Hey Jamalo Tutack, Tutack" by well-known Bhangra singer Malkit Singh. The 1989 remix was an instant smash. BALLY then went on to produce his first album, "Wham Bam." The CD's traditional Indian flavors and progressive Western beats jolted the Asian music scene. Since then he's made a trailer-load of hardcore remix albums and produced the awesome CD "MAGIC TOUCH" featuring the immortal voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn. Currently, SAGOO is considered the king of modern, avante garde Asian music.
On this East meets West Indies, extravaganza the listener is treated to exotic tastes and far off aural treats. Gracefully chosen vocals are interlaced with many awesome East Indian sounds that mix with bumping bass lines. Contrasted with his usual hardcore dance albums, DUB OF ASIA is a180 degree turn for the DJ/Producer. This is a very relaxed CD. The vibe on this album is one of love and unity.
The styles of reggae dub on DUB OF ASIA are varied. Songs range from intense funky workouts like "BAD MUNDA DUB" to easy listening vibes like "EASTERN DUB." No matter how soothing the music sounds at times SAGOO always manages to incorporate enough edge in the mix to keep one's interest and prevent the songs from becoming "background music." The Indian flavors are very pronounced on songs such as "FUNKY RICKSHAW DUB" and "SALAAM DUB," where sitars, tablas and a beautiful female singing voice make their way into the mix and then disappear into echoing fragments.
If I have one complaint it's that SAGOO does everything but ignore the percussive element so prominent in classic reggae dub. Fusing Indian tablas and African congas together is an opportunity waiting to be exploited. Mixing traditional East Indian music with the sounds of Jamaica is an excellent chance to blend hand drums from both cultures into a polyrhythmic celebration. Unfortunately, hand drums are heard on only a coupla dubs thus, leaving the rest of the music on the disc sounding a bit dry and this listener feeling slightly disenchanted.
Overall, this is a wonderfully exotic excursion into the realms of reggae dub. And one can only hope to hear more cultural fusion of reggae dub with Asian music from BALLY SAGOO while at the same time preserving the essence of both genres. I like to think that not only is listening to DUB OF ASIA a chance to appreciate different music but also an opportunity to begin to appreciate and accept those who are different from our selves. As SAGOO has said, "For me, my music represents bringing different worlds together and uniting them as one." Amen to that my brethren.
Respect! -Mark "Homebody" Groesbeck
