Biography
Fans of speed garage alongside Indian vocals find themselves equally captivated by the hypnotic, groove-driven textures emanating from a New York-based hybrid act. Although Goa trance had already introduced listeners to East-West fusion, founder, vocalist, and producer Sean Dinsmore (DJ Cavo) infused Dum Dum Project recordings with his reggae and rock instincts, yielding a far more distinctive result. Dinsmore first earned recognition as frontman of the ska outfit the Toasters before leading the reggae ensemble Unity 2. Following Unity 2’s 1992 dissolution, he immersed himself for several years in the psychedelic rock landmarks of the 1960s and 1970s, especially the Eastern-tinged late-period Beatles albums. He next stepped forward as lead singer of Supercuz, a modern rock band that incorporated a pronounced Eastern dimension. Two of the three central Dum Dum Project members—Dinsmore and guitarist/sitarist Jason Goodrow—had previously played together in Supercuz. After an RCA tenure that produced European and Japanese EP releases in 1995, Dinsmore embarked on an extended physical pilgrimage that naturally led him to India.
That voyage prompted him to establish the independent label Grooovy Sounds Unlimited alongside musical associate Jeremy Hurley. While still writing and performing with Supercuz, Dinsmore refined plans for an East-West fusion album. In 1999 he entered the studio alongside Goodrow and percussionist Phil Painson, joined by several acclaimed Indian guest artists, thereby launching the Dum Dum Project. Its debut album, Desi Vibes, generated underground electronica attention through an inventive mixture of Eastern vocals, Western spoken word, hip-hop, downbeat, and breakbeat; the record earned repeated airplay on New York and Los Angeles radio and in leading clubs. The track “Air India” emerged as an Ibiza anthem, securing the group’s international profile. The follow-up album Export Quality appeared in summer 2001.
That voyage prompted him to establish the independent label Grooovy Sounds Unlimited alongside musical associate Jeremy Hurley. While still writing and performing with Supercuz, Dinsmore refined plans for an East-West fusion album. In 1999 he entered the studio alongside Goodrow and percussionist Phil Painson, joined by several acclaimed Indian guest artists, thereby launching the Dum Dum Project. Its debut album, Desi Vibes, generated underground electronica attention through an inventive mixture of Eastern vocals, Western spoken word, hip-hop, downbeat, and breakbeat; the record earned repeated airplay on New York and Los Angeles radio and in leading clubs. The track “Air India” emerged as an Ibiza anthem, securing the group’s international profile. The follow-up album Export Quality appeared in summer 2001.
Albums
