Sieze The Time

Post 9/11 the word fundamental is associated with something abhorrent and misguided but back in 1994 when "Seize The Time" was originally released it was more about political will and action than terrorism and that was what this band were and still are come to think of it , all about. Education and action, for and by the people, in order to challenge the status quo and give the establishment a bloody nose and most importantly engender change. That is what this band is still all about. It just so happens that they made one of the most compelling, enraged and motivated albums of the nineties. That it was their debut album and a double at that made it even more impressive.

Musically too, its hugely inspiring, with different sound worlds colliding in a colossal whirlwind of noise. As the band are primarily driven by anger and hatred of oppression and social injustice there is a darkness at the core of the music that revolves around seething dance floor rhythms and turbid hip hop but in paean to their mantra of inclusiveness there is a pan -global eclecticism within the songs that brings in luxuriant strings, Eastern samples, muezzin calls and a sussed sense of melody and rock dynamics.

The songs are just terrific and wonderfully energising. After listening to "Seize The Time" you will feel like anything is possible, that you could take on Ali for fifteen rounds and win. And I mean the Ali of the rumble in the jungle, not the tragic figure he is today. The only other album that has that effect on me is "Never Mind The Bollocks". "White Gold Burger" is an intoxicating flurry of eastern strings while "No More Fear" has an insidious throbbing beat and samples that scurry round with the infectious glee of hyped up toddlers. The title track explodes in a clashing rocks hurricane of fury while "Mera Mezab" is more hedonistic in tone, though the lyrics are no less irate. Lyrically it's a little clumsy at times, but that makes it more resonant and convincing, after all it's very rare for us to be at our most articulate when we are truly wound up.

This is an awesome achievement , and is far superior to anything released by the more touted Asian Dub Foundation who were just as righteous in their fury , but far less consistent in their output. Bands like Fundamental and ADF took a route diametrically opposed to bands like Loop Guru and Trans Global Underground who emerged at roughly the same time and used their mixture of ethnic diversity for more fluid soothing material, not that there is anything wrong with that.

Anyone doubting the validity of the message the band is preaching because of connotations with the name and their pride at their Muslim culture should re-consider. This is music with a message for us all that never degenerates into crass slogans and blinkered hatred of other creeds and cultures. Anyone still with doubts should check out their web-site and digest what the band say on their record labels site.

"We are hard politically, uncompromising musically and we won't be led by marketing angles. We try to give people confidence. People have to start educating themselves, respecting themselves".