Mad Professor - Electronic Dub producer - Creator of Ariwa Sounds Mad

Professor is one of the leading figures in Dub.

Having started building electronic equipment in the seventies, Neil Fraser

evolved into building mixing desks and sound effect units.

He opened his self-built recording studios in 1979 attracting a variety of artists

and musicians. From Sister Audrey, Mikey Dread, Ruts DC, Plato Banton, Macka

B, Merger, Jimmy Lindsay, Desmond Decker, Matumbi, Reggae Regulars, they all

recorded through the custom-built mixing desk that was favoured by sound

system giants Moa Ambessa, Jan Shaka, Coxsone, Aba Shanti, Wassifa and many

more.

After producing many hit songs in the eighties, Country Living by Sandra Cross,

True Born African by U Roy and Sister Audrey, If I gave my heart to you by

John Mclean, Black Pride by Kofi, Got to find a way by Lorna G, and many more.

Mad Professor won Best Reggae Producer award for seven successive years, he

also started to experiment with several mainstream acts, providing re-mix

production duties for Massive Attack, The Orb, Sade, Jamariquai , Rancid and

many more.

Professor then developed the Live Electronic Dub Show, becoming the first

engineer to mix live from the stage, sometimes with tapes, or musicians, very

often with artists from the Ariwa label, from Aisha to Lee Scratch Perry.

Mad Professor is also credited as being responsible for the transition of Lee

Perry, from the eccentric Upsetter, into one of the top reggae performers of

the 21st century.

Having developed the Ariwa studios into a state-of-the-art multi room facility,

this iconic label is one of the most successful black owned businesses in the UK,

and certainly one of the most diverse music labels in the world! With a catalogue

of more than 300 titles, Ariwa still manufacture vinyl, CDs, and is constantly

uploading back catalogue and new releases to its digital distribution.