Monday 4 March 2013

Mikey Dread Presents The Reel To Reel (Dub Mobile) - (1986)


Another interesting album here from the late great Mikey Dread, aka Dread At The Controls, who's work in the late 70's and early 80's made him a well known and much loved singer, producer and radio DJ.

Although this one seems to fall into the "bootleg" category from the information we gathered it was an album recorded but never released, it's still an interesting piece from Mikey and showcases his production credits during his time in the UK in the mid 80's.

Mikey Dread was born Michael Campbell in Port Antonio, Jamaica in 1954. After leaving college he began working for Jamaican radio station JBC eventually hosting his own show entitled Dread At The Controls.

It was a very popular broadcast and one of the first all reggae shows on the station but after a clash with the management he quit.

By the mid to late 70's Mikey Dread began recording his own material collaborating with Lee "Scratch" Perry, King Tubby and Carlton Patterson along the way.

By the early 1980's he left Jamaica for the UK and began working with British punk band The Clash on their album "Sandinista!". Dread also joined the group for their US tour gaining a fan base in the states.

Upon his return to England he began working with producer Adrian Sherwood and his On-U Sound label with whom he released some excellent material.


By the mid-80's Mikey Dread also collaborated with a number of Birmingham based reggae artists including UB40 and Pato Banton. He partly recorded his album "Pave The Way" at UB40's DEP International studio and also produced the UB40 single "I've Got Mine" b/w "Dub Mobile" and plans for a collaboration album were discussed and although a number of tracks were cut, including "Mekyarok" and "One-A-Penny", it seems the project was left unfinished.

This album, entitled "Mikey Dread Presents The Reel To Reel (Dub Mobile)", is essentially made up of the tracks Dread cut with UB40 that were released as singles and b-sides. It also includes tracks cut whilst in Birmingham with Pato Banton, Daddy Tick and the little known Nya And Natty.

This may not be the project it had intended to be and this is essentially a bootleg compilation but it does contain some excellent material and offers an insight into Dread's productions of the mid-80's.

Enjoy!  : )

Mikey Dread Presents The Reel To Reel (Dub Mobile)

1) Roots & Culture {Mikey Dread}
2) Mekyarok {UB40}
3) Jungle Reel {Dread At The Control}
4) Dub Mobile {UB40}
5) Nice Up The Session {Pato Banton}
6) Sufferin' {Nya & Natty}
7) I've Got Mine {UB40}
8) Walk Pon The Spot {Daddy Tick & Pato Banton}
9) One-A-Penny {UB40}
10) The Reel To Reel {Dread At The Control}

Please be aware that all download links are currently unavailable as of January 2023  

Enjoying the music? Got any suggestions?? Let us know, leave a comment below or email us:

pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com  

6 comments:

  1. Great post man........not heard any of this material ....thanx and praises

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  2. Greetings Jah Rizla,
    Thanks for stopping by, enjoy!

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  3. Yes Yah! Respect due for the Nice Work & rare stuff as this one.... Bless

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  4. Big Ups for this Dread Treasure!..Thanks & Respect from Florida

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