(Translated from my original Italian text by ChatGPT and Piero Scaruffi)
Fun-Da-Mental were a "world-dance" group formed by four Indians and Pakistanis in August 1991 to perform at a carnival. In the following months, only Propa-ghandi (born Aki Nawaz, the Pakistani) remained from the original lineup.
A veteran since the days of the Crass (and also an original member of the Cult), Nawaz was inspired by the music of Consolidated and the classics of Public Enemy for the agitprop of his early singles: Janaam The Message, Righteous Preacher, Gandhi's Revenge, Wrath Of The Blackman. Countryman (1993) introduced them to a wider audience, thanks to a moving story dedicated to emigrants all over the world. The fierce Dog Tribe (May 1994) and an anti-apartheid anthem, Goldburger (October 1994), attracted the attention of the media.
However, it was the double album Seize The Time (Beggars Banquet, 1994) that made them famous, with a title dedicated to a famous slogan of the Black Panthers. In the super-eclectic mix of rap, loops, found voices, Indian and Australian instruments, ambient drones, transglobal jams, and Tackhead-style rhythmic dynamite, a socio-political critique emerges through educational lyrics worthy of the 1960s (Dog Tribe, Seize The Time, White Gold Burger). The effect is at times neurotic (No More Fear) and at times hypnotic (Mother India), but rarely also musical.
(Original English text by Piero Scaruffi)
(Clicka qua per la versione Italiana)
Erotic Terrorism (Beggars Banquet, 1998) was another political manifesto,
but a more brutal and determined one. This time around, the band's message
may still be confused, but the sound is loud and firm.
Demonised Soul lead the charge with a flaming blend of
industrial, hardcore and hip hop.
Oh Lord ride on heavy-metal guitars.
Godevil finds a world-beat version of trip-hop.
Techno and raga propel Ja Sha Taan,
blues and quwwali fuel One Ness.
The ultra-fusion is not avantgarde, but it is pure dynamite.
Fundamental calmed down considerably on
There Shall Be Loved (Nation, 2001), a collection of superficially
ethnic numbers that prefer pop and folk accessibility over politics.
Fundamental follows the example of Chumbawamba and
sells its sonic melting-pot to the masses.
