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 the likes of Massive
Attack, The Orb, Sade, Jamariquai and Rancid.
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
manufactures vinyl and CDs, and is constantly uploading back catalogue and new releases to its digital
distribution.
