One of today's buzz-words in art is 'fusion' - the bringing together of two or more very different traditions to create something that draws from both but is neither. In music, jazz and classical music have often formed alliances - the use of the sitar has been popular with composers ranging from classical composer John Mayer to the Beatles.
Dance often draws upon very diverse national styles, British Black writers have fused their home culture with Britain's to create a distinctive new genre, and in popular dance music 'British Asian' is a technical term for a movement that draws from both sources.
Having worked mainly with British South Asian Christians for the past year or two, it's Asian fusion I'm most familiar with. South Asian Concern, for example, has produced an attractive worship CD in aid of three Third World health charities. Celebrating Together brings together East and West in a rich mix of cultures that's both musically engaging and also says something about the global gospel. You can buy it for a donation (£5 suggested) from SAC, 50 Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 1BT.
