Mad Professor’s “Ariwa Sessions” reissued by Melodies International

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Music

Rare early material will see a new lease of life with the label working in collaboration with Mad Professor himself.

“Ariwa Sounds: The Early Sessions” is set for reissue by Melodies International – marking what may be the most significant release for the record label to date. Rare tracks recorded by Mad Professor will be made available, showcasing why he is and remains as pivotal to the evolution of Dub.

Mad Professor has been one of the most innovative in inspirational figures in electronic music for many having collaborated and remixed music with Lee Scratch Perry, Jah Shaka, Sade, The Orb, Massive Attack, Grace Jones and many more.

The label explain how the release of this album has come to fruition:

“A few years back, we stumbled upon this outstanding Lovers Rock and Dub album which had a very unique raw sound and felt like a whole experience when listened to from start to finish. Alternate versions of the same tracks with different performers in varying styles, tape rewinds, it had us all wonder why it hadn’t gained wider recognition amongst Mad Professor’s other releases.

When we finally had the pleasure of meeting Neil at his recording studio, he revealed that this album was one of his earliest works. It was born out of a birthday gift from his wife—a four-track recorder that inspired him to venture into music-making after years of repairing and building electronics and audio equipment. When we asked him if he would be making music if not for that gift, he confessed that it was highly unlikely (!)

Mad Professor further explained that this album, originally released in 1984, is a compilation of tracks recorded between 1979 and 1981, representing the nascent stages of his recording and production career, when the idea of establishing a studio and the Ariwa label were just beginning to take shape. He set up all his gear, including his first homemade four-track mixing desk, in the front room of his house in South London. With no prior studio experience, he positioned microphones where he thought they should fit and invited local musicians to collaborate. Errol Sly, Ranking Ann, Sergeant Pepper, Deborah Glasgow, Victor Cross, Sister Audrey, his backing band the Sane Inmates and a host of other talented local artists, some of whom would go on to become stalwarts in their respective genres, all contributed to this album”

The record is available to pre order on Bandcamp HERE.