Tickets SOLD OUT original link: HERE
Bar from 5:00pm. Doors 8:00pm to 12:00am. Standing
A disciple of Lee “Scratch” Perry, Mad Professor was one of the leading producers in dub reggae’s second generation. His Dub Me Crazy albums helped dub make the transition into the digital age, when electronic productions started to take over mainstream reggae in the ’80s. His space-age tracks not only made use of new digital technology, but often expanded dub’s sonic blueprint, adding more elements and layers of sound than his forebears typically did. In the mid-’90s, he returned to the basics, debuting a more retro-sounding style on the Black Liberation Dub series. Additionally, he ran his own studio and label, Ariwa, which was home to a stable of vocalists (with an emphasis on lovers rock and conscious roots reggae) and some of the finest British reggae productions of the era. As his reputation grew, he became a remixer of choice for adventurous rock and techno acts, most notably revamping Massive Attack’s entire second album under the new title No Protection.
Sister Aisha began singing at the age of eight, and through her live performances built a significant following in and around the Midlands. Demonstrating her individualism, she followed in the direction of roots music as opposed to singing soulful cover versions of R&B hits, the latter being the most frequent route for reggae divas. In the late 80s Aisha began recording with the Mad Professor and released ‘Prophecy’ on his Ariwa Sounds label. This success led to other recording sessions with female vocalists, performing conscientious lyrics and culminating with the Roots Daughters series, in which Aisha featured alongside the revitalized Fabian, Kofi and Sandra Cross. In 1996 Aisha released ‘Hail H.I.M.’, which resulted in her appearance at the Essential Music Festival in that year. This salute to Haile Selassie was followed by ‘Don’t Tell Me No Lies’ and ‘Raise Your Voice’, both of which achieved acceptable placings among the ragga hits that dominated the reggae chart. Aisha has been showered with accolades for her accomplished performances, captivating audiences wherever she appears, and she continues to pursue a career based on her assertion that ‘music comes from the root of love
