Mad Professor Presents - Ariwa Sounds

Description

In 1979, Neil Fraser (aka Mad Professor) founded Ariwa Sounds, one of the UK’s longest-running and most influential independent reggae studios and labels. From its humble beginnings in Neil’s living room in south London, with 4-track recordings and homemade equipment, Ariwa would go on to record and release more than 300 albums, including works by some of the most significant and iconic artists of their era in the reggae, dub and lovers rock genres. While our previous release in collaboration with Ariwa captured the label’s early sound, a shared performance with Neil in Osaka and regular visits to his south London studio inspired us to create this 15-track compilation, showcasing the label’s output over 45 years. Our compilation highlights some of the label’s greatest voices: Johnny Clarke, Sandra Cross, Kofi, U Roy, Sister Nancy, Queen Omega, Aisha, Garnett Cross, Abel Miller, Horace Andy and many more. It features Motown and Stax influences in Lovers Rock, but also offers a glimpse of the label’s more dub and experimental side, illustrating Ariwa’s commitment to quality, but also its personality, philosophy and humour. Love songs, breakup songs, conscious songs, dub experiments: this compilation is not a “best of” but a diverse and authentic celebration of the label through the lens of Melodies International. Mastered from the original tapes by Frank Merritt (The Carvery), pressed at Optimal, sleeve created by Jason Evans with contributions from Nevil Bernard and Will Sweeney on design and assembly.