Miss Red: The ‘Monday Is Okay’ Mix

Following collaborations with the likes of Gaika, Mumdance and Andy Stott, Israeli MC Miss Red released her debut album K.O. last week. With production handled entirely by frequent collaborator The Bug, it's an intense, adrenaline-fuelled listen that lays out a blueprint for futuristic new dancehall.

Born to Israeli Moroccan and Polish parents, Miss Red's early experiences of growing up in an immigrant family and their resulting persecution have informed the writing of the album, influenced heavily by her lifelong attraction to the reggae scene in Jamaica. “Nicodemus really influenced me", she explains, "but as a girl, it wasn’t my voice, and it was listening to those '80s dancehall gyals that I gravitated towards, because they were chatting as proud girls, and from a female perspective, so it was vocalists like Sister Nancy and Lady Ann that really made the biggest impression on me."

Listen to Miss Red's 'Monday Is Okay' mix below, which acts as a showcase for her love of vintage dub and dancehall:

Please introduce yourself… who are you, where are you and what are you?

I am Miss Red. Red world, red life, redder than red hair, red face, red blood. All is red in the red world, it's all about that kind of red energy.   

What does your music sound like?

Like dancehall, punk and bass made a baby.

Where was the mix recorded?

A dirty basement in Berlin.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Morning time when ya just waking and baking hot, with your lover, and you just can’t leave the bed.

What should we be wearing?

Your choice yeah, but I would recommend wearing nothing.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix?

In front of a waterfall while being fed grapes.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First one was probably Burning Spear, 'Creation'. Last one was the Lost Highway soundtrack.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Pineapple mango coconut rum smoothie.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A lion.

K.O. is out now via Pressure, order it here. Miss Red's album launch parties take place 19th July (Corsica Studios, London) and 21st July (Gretchen, Berlin).

Images: Kasia Zacharko

Mix tracklist:

Johnny Osbourne – Ready Or Not
Yabby You – Conquering Lion
The Congos – Congoman
General Echo – This A Lover's Corner
Roots Radics Band (mixed by Scientist) – Bedtime Rock
Prince Jazzbo – Ital Corner
Rhythm & Sound w/ Willi Williams – See Mi Yah
Wayne Smith ‎- Life Is A Moment In Space
Marcia Aitken – I'm Still In Love
Trinity – Three Piece Suit
The Uniques – Queen Majesty
Junior Murvin – Police And Thieves
Horace Andy – Eating Mess
Junior Byles – Fade Away
Augustus Pablo – King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
Love Joys – Long Lost Lover
Lee Perry – Bathroom Skank
Cedric "Im" Brooks & The Light Of Saba – Nobody's Business
Jennifer Lara – Consider Me
Clive Field Marshall – Ting-A-Ling A-Ling
Sizzla – What Does It Worth?