A. John McLean – If I Give My Heart To You
B. Professor Doppler – Doppler Effect
Ariwa – ARI 66
This edition explores the Ariwa label, founded by Neil Fraser, better known as Mad Professor, and includes original songs by John McLean and Aisha, as well as dub workouts by The Robotics. London native John McLean, known for his smooth, velvet voice, honed his skills in both church choirs and the vibrant sound system scene before balancing his musical pursuits with a career on the railroads.
Captain Sinbad facilitated John McLean’s introduction to Ariwa, where Mad Professor recognized his vocal prowess. The result was If I Give My Heart To You, a quintessential lovers rock anthem with a shimmering, well-crafted riddim. This 1988 release dominated the British reggae charts. His 1989 album, Bowled Over, further showcased his talent, featuring popular singles Say You, Truly Bowled Over and his monster hit If I Give My Heart To You.
The 1990s saw John McLean engaged in numerous collaborations, notably with Mad Professor, Fashion Records, and Captain Sinbad. This period yielded the popular duet Run Around Girl with Dego Ranks, and the romantic hit We Both Belong To Someone Else. Though the new millennium brought fewer chart successes, he continued to perform, his vocal talent ensuring his presence on various stages.
This 12-inch vinyl contains his signature hit and a corresponding dub exploration, while the flip side offers an instrumental dub composition from Mad Professor, operating as Professor Doppler.
A. Aisha – I Know A Place (A Wet Mix)
B. Robtics – Weter Than water (A Wet Mix)
Ariwa – ARI 93
Shifting to the second 12″ single, we feature Aisha, born Pamela Ross in Wolverhampton in 1962. Her musical journey began early, performing in her father’s sound system. In 1979, she joined Capital Letters as a backing vocalist. After several years, she embarked on a solo career, culminating in the 1998 release of her debut album, High Priestess, in collaboration with Mad Professor.
Aisha’s debut set showcases her talent within a perfectly crafted roots album, courtesy of Mad Professor’s production. Norman Grant of the Twinkle Brothers produced her next album, Daughters Of Zion, and she continued to release music, including 2017’s The First Lady Of Dub!!, a showcase-style album that once again highlights her artistry alongside Mad Professor’s dub mastery.
Released in 1989, the 12″ single features Aisha’s self-penned I Know A Place, an uptempo track that blends romantic themes with a universal message of peace and harmony. The B-side, Weter Than Water, credited to The Robotics (Robtics !), delivers a dynamic dub experience, unfortunately cut short at only three and a half minutes.
Neil Fraser, the iconic Mad Professor, is a pivotal figure in UK dub and lovers rock. Born in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1955, he relocated to the UK in the late 1960s. His work as an electronics technician provided him with invaluable technical knowledge, which, combined with his passion for reggae, led to the 1979 founding of Ariwa Records, initially operating from a small room in his home.
In 1982, the studio relocated to Peckham, where Neil upgraded his equipment to professional standards. This period saw the emergence of numerous hits with artists like Johnny Clarke, Pato Banton, and Sandra Cross. However, in 1986, a devastating burglary threatened to derail his progress. Undeterred, Neil rebuilt and opened a new studio, ushering in a golden era for Ariwa. The Dub Me Crazy series became a massive success, and his collaborations with Lee “Scratch” Perry further solidified his legendary status.
Neil Fraser, ever the innovator, also ventured into other genres, collaborating with artists like Massive Attack and The Orb. To this day, the Mad Professor and Ariwa Records remain cornerstones of UK reggae, with his sons, Joe and Karmelody, actively contributing to the label’s legacy. Despite his advanced age, the Mad Professor continues to be a driving force, promising further musical explorations.
[These tracks were digitized directly from vinyl using a Technics SL-1210MK2 turntable equipped with an Ortofon cartridge. The recordings were captured in 24-bit/96kHz WAV format via SoundForge]