Sam Shepherd and Elliot Bernard’s excellent imprint, Melodies International, takes a slight diversion from its usual dynamite soul and jazz to reissue a little bit of reggae and dub history. Ariwa Sounds – The Early Sessions are recordings which date back to the late `70s and early `80s, and represent some of the earliest work released by the now legendary Mad Professor. The 8 tunes were produced in his first studio, a space built around a 4-track recorder, that he received as a gift from his wife, and set up in his South London front room. Given the basic gear, the results are not Lo-Fi, not ruff, rude, raw, or distorted, at all. Rather the songs are intimate, and feel very live. As if you’re sitting right there, in Thornton Heath with them. 

What sounds like a single jam was actually committed to tape over a 3 year period, with singers and MCs taking turns on the mic, riffing over the same rhythms. Each bringing a different flavour. Everything appears to be a a one-take shot – there are no obvious edits, no overdubs. The album opens with roots, rudimentary dub effects – Revox rewinds, and echo, dropouts juxtaposed with rattling rolls – and stretches out into sweet lovers rock. There are Caribbean lilts led by the ladies, and fellers indulging in barber shop, doo-wop harmonies. Plus a lot of loose funk in the drums. Ranking Ann’s Moonlight Lover is a standout. An essential slice of stripped back English toast. 

Sure, some it might come across a tad “amateurish” compared to where Mad Professor, Ariwa, and its artists are now – a globally recognised reggae and dub institution – but you can feel the excitement of everyone involved. Folks very likely making their recorded debuts. There’s a real sense of friends having fun. 

Mad Professor’s Ariwa Sounds – The Early Sessions is out now on Melodies International.