I recently put a mix together for a radio show focusing solely on Mad Professor productions and as I was rummaging through my record collection selecting tunes for it I noticed a pattern emerging which was that a lot of the tracks I was looking for were found on the B-sides of the records.
Being obsessed with dub heading straight for the flipside isn’t anything new for me but what was interesting about Mad Professor’s records was that the track on the flip wasn’t necessarily always a dub (you sometimes found the odd vocal track there too) and even when it was a dub often it wasn’t actually a dub of the track on the A-side (which is the usual convention). This intriguing and quite unique situation got me thinking that maybe highlighting some of the gems you can find hidden away on the B-sides of the Prof's mighty fine Ariwa label would make for an interesting list - and so here it is…
Aisha - "The Creator"
Possibly one of the Mad Professor’s best known productions, largely due to it being extensively sampled by 90’s dance outfits most notably by the Orb on “Blue Room.” Given its subsequent popularity it’s maybe surprising it discover it actually started life as a B-side on the 12” for "Dancing Time" released in 1986.
Sgt. Pepper - “Time A Go Dread”
Hidden away on the the flip of the recently reissued "Bengali Skank" 12” is this gem from Ariwa OG Sgt. Pepper delivered in extended discomix style alongside its own deadly dub that packs one hell of an earthshaking hoover bassline.
Mad Professor & Sane Inmates – "John Peel Dub"
John Peel played a massive role in promoting the Prof’s work in the early days giving him a session on his legendary Radio 1 show so it’s maybe no surprise that the favour was returned here with this epic 9 minute dub dedicated to him which is found on the flip of Ranking Ann's "Immigration Plan" 12".
Mad Professor - "Funky Dub"
This one does exactly what it says on the tin and shows the Prof’s versatility in working across different genres to create this dancefloor friendly electro-funk-dub bomb. Found on the B-side of the 12” for Paulette Tajah's "Put A Little Love Away" 12" released in 1988.
Wild Bunch - "Rat Race"
Like all the great reggae and dub producers Mad Professor will sometimes revisit classic Jamaican rhythms and this one sees him deliver a skanking update on Junior Byles’ “Fade Way” which is hidden way on the B-side of the 1984 “Mr President Man” release.
Robotiks – "Miss Mood"
There’s something about stamped white labels that always gets me extra excited and when I found this one on the flip of an anonymous Ariwa white label it felt like discovering the gold at the end of the rainbow. Synthy, dancey, dubby - it’s a banger! Found on the flip of Dean Bridgewater's "Sitting On The Back Row" 12".
Real Robotics - "St. Quentin"
More of a free wheeling synth-funk instrumental than a dub it has a brilliantly unique sound that will catch your attention and get some feet moving on the dancefloor. Found on the flip of the "Mellow" 12" from Intense. Extra points for being super cheap too.
Mad Professor with Mafia & Fluxy - "6 Million Dub"
There’s two ways to get this deadly slice of heavyweight proto-dubstep from the Prof and legendary rhythm duo Mafia & Fluxy. The expensive way (which is buying ARI 121 where it features on the A-side) or the cheap way (by buying ARI 97 where it features on the B-side to Kofi's "Don't Ask My Neighbours"). B-side option wins every time!
Mad Professor & Jah Shaka - "Only One God"
One of the many amazing tracks to result from collabrations with the mighty Jah Shaka whom the Prof shared a studio with back in the early days. This one is a storming stepper guaranteed to ignite any dancefloor. Found on the flip of "Love Makes A Woman" by Venus from 1996 (as well as appearing on the "New Decade Of Dub" LP)
Mad Professor – "H₂SO₄"
This is classic Mad Professor at his most mad, experimental and funky. A six minute electro-funk-dub odyssey that you can find on the flip of Sandra Cross’ “Take Your Time” 12” from 1989 as well as making an appearance on Volume 9 of the Prof's iconic "Dub Me Crazy" series of LPs. It was also recently reissued by Isle Of Jura on volume two of their excellent "Instrumental Dubs" series.
Make sure you also check out Mad Professor's amazing dub of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" which is out on vinyl next month.
