With their debut album hailed as one of the "hottest" around by Radio 1 DJs Bobby and Nihal, it is still a surprise that London based Fusing Naked Beats have not been snapped by a major record label yet.

The two west London producers, DJ Asif (pictured) and Martti Sewell, have put together Digital Asia, the album they refer to as 'an adventure into eastern electronica, Arabic beats with the dhol, sitar and tabla fusing into house, breakbeat, drum&bass, and funk'. The album is released on their own label: Just Play records.

Riding high on their popular club single, also titled Digital Asia, the album includes the electro beats of Threads of Identity and the hypnotic, dark house rhythms of Desert Queen . All three tracks were played listed on Radio 1's Bobby and Nihal top ten chart.

They say: "Digital Asia is an album which pushes the boundaries of the mainstream asian sound. It takes you to the next level of the universal dance scene and grabs you with its frantic, dirty spunout beats."

We say: If you are into electro, funk, techno, or just crazy ass beats, then Digital Asia is a must buy. It does not matter whether you are Asian or not, Fusing Naked Beats are definitely worth listening to.

Digital Asia is only available through their website: www.fusingnakedbeats.co.uk


Also working the underground circuit are Yam Boy and Goonda Raj, who will be releasing their debut album Maad Ethics on 4th July.

Yam Boy, aka Nikesh Shukla, released his first EP in October last year, which he wanted to use to showcase "a wide variety of things" he did, including spoken word elements, using live instruments, weird drum patterns and the eclectic sampling of African and Indian folk instruments.

The 15 track Maad Ethics album of spoken word poetry and rap over intelligent beats has been produced entirely by Goonda Raj. It also features collaborations with Matt Milton and DJ DissCuss. The duo recently performed at the Glastonbury festival from their album.

They say: "Yam Boy and Goonda's journey to understand and conextualise their dual identities, this album spans two continents and four different countries. It was made in Birmingham and London and conceived mostly online."

We say: It might not be to everyone's tastes but the boys are not afraid to experiment and try and stand out from the rest. This is raw talent that will get better as it becomes more polished.

Maad Ethics will be available from movemusics.com, brasianbeats.com and other record stores. Launch party: 8th July 2005 at Cocomo, Old Street.
yamboy.net


In contrast to the above two, DJ Pathaan has little trouble getting publicity for his latest release, Universal Sunset. The album follows in the wake of other chilled-out-beats compilation albums Indian Sunset and Global Sunset. Both were well received and Pathaan does not disappoint with his latest offering.

As one of the few UK based DJs who has made his name on the international scene, Pathaan has cemented his reputation with a new residency in Harlem, Brixton, London and a fortnightly show on Ministry Of Sound radio. He has also just released a new CD in the USA titled Tandava which are mixes for a form of flow yoga.

With Indian Sunset he focused on classical Asian music mixed with undeground beats. With the latest compilation album he exposes listeners to a much wider variety of sounds from around the world, from the popular Senegalese performer Baaba Maal to intelligent beats producers Aphex Twins.

He says: "I am on a mission to take the sound to as many people as possible. I am on a personal mission to make the hair at the back of people’s neck stand up."

We say: If you want to experiment with ambient and wonderful sounds from around the world, there is no better man to introduce you to them than DJ Pathaan.
Pathaan.com/