Ray Keith will be showcasing a history of Dread Recordings at Hidden on Saturday 22nd November for Digital X-Pressions so here is a brief history of this Drum & Bass legend!

Born in Colchester, Essex, Ray Keith has been involved in Dance music since early 1989 with influences taken from Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop, Classical and Acid House. His first break in the scene was kindly given by Buster Brooker who owned Oscars in Clacton-on-Sea where he played his first professional gig and was hooked for life! Ray regularly visited his local clubs and raves such as Hippodrome in Colchester, The Venue, The Works and L'aristos in the early part of his DJ career. From these small clubs Ray experienced and learnt what every DJ knows and that is hard work, playing to and pleasing the crowd and the unpredictability of the scene.

Ray’s first residency was for Cinderella’s in Ipswich, this gave him a good understanding of what the crowds wanted to hear and how to work them before entering the London club scene. There was a huge explosion of underground clubs in London and the South East in 1990. Ray’s first London residency was for Crazy Club at The Astoria, he was also DJing at all the parties the Pet Shop Boys were booked to play at during this period. He went to play for Future and Innocence at the Lazerdrome in Peckham in 1990 – 1991.

1992 saw Ray enter the production world with remixes of some top acts of the time including Shades of Rhythm, Moby, Orbital and St. Etienne. Working with such great artists gave him the knowledge and understanding to work with other labels such as the long-standing Moving Shadow Records. Ray was also working for Dave at City Sounds in Holborn at the time and then moved on to work for Black Market Records in Soho where he still works today. On Thursdays you can watch Ray doing what he does best at BM Records in Soho, London. He takes pride in working at one of London’s most established record shops as this keeps him in touch with the freshest and biggest new tunes.

”Ray takes pride in working at one of London’s most established record shops, BM in Soho, as this keeps him in touch with the freshest and biggest new tunes.”

Dread Recordings was created in 1994, Ray had spent some time producing and remixing tracks for other labels and decided he wanted his own imprint to release material on. Two other labels Ray started later were Penny Black and UFO. Ray has produced some epic tracks over time which have lead to scenes of pandemonium on the rave floors these include “The Chopper”, “You Got Me Burning Up” and “Something Out There” all on Dread Recordings. A massive dancefloor destroyer from Ray was “The Renegade Terrorist” on Moving Shadow.

Always being at the forefront of the Drum & Bass scene, Ray has a weekly show on Kiss Radio 105 – 108 FM in the South East (formerly Vibe FM) on Saturdays 10 – Midnight where you can tune into the latest dub plates and innovative D&B sounds. Ray has also played at the biggest profile events over the years including Innovation, World Dance, Helter Skelter, Slammin Vinyl, One Nation and Movement with also regular tours to Germany, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Australia, USA and Canada.

2002 saw Ray working on some huge projects including remixing chart favorites Big Brovaz, “OK” and “Ring a Ding”. Another massive remix was of the vocal slammer “Don’t Get Me Wrong” on AK Records. Continuing on the vocal and Latino vibe Ray created the colossal “The Latin Quarter” which featured on V Recordings “Drum & Bass Fiesta” and released in April 2003.

2003 was a hectic year for Ray and Dread Recordings; firstly he had a very personal production project where he collaborated up with MC Navigator and the magical vocalist Alexander (from I & I’s) covering “No No No” originally by Dawn Penn. Releasing this soulful vocal track on Dread took the label to a whole new level and diversified it away from the dark and tearing sounds synonymous with the imprint.

“Releasing the soulful vocal track “No No No” on Dread Recordings in 2003 took the label to a whole new level and diversified it away from the dark and tearing sounds synonymous with the imprint.”

2003 also saw the launch of dreadrecordingsuk.com which represented Ray Keith, Dread, Penny Black, UFO Recordings and all the artists who produced for the labels. The site is interactive with a forum and online store reaching out to all the Dread heads out there! Ray also set up his own DJ agency in 2003 called Dread Entertainment Agency which is still currently active and thriving with a strong DJ and MC roster from the Drum & Bass world.

One of the biggest years for Ray Keith was 2004 as this was Ten Years of Dread Recordings so fittingly he celebrated this by releasing a four part EP entitled “Decade of Dread – Still Standing” with brand new tracks from Ray and fresh new remixes of ’94 classics including “Terrordome”, “Chopper” and “Yes Yes” to name a few. These were greatly received and helped push the next project for the label DUB DREAD. Penny Black Records was also re-launched in 2004 with some massive tracks from Blame, The Pedge and Serum.

Dub Dread is a mix CD compilation by Ray Keith that features a dub-style Jungle tracks by Ray & the Dread crew. Ray has been a source of inspiration to Serum & Bladerunner, given them ammunition to make some heavy material for the album. Tunes like “Lovin”, “Dub Dread” and “Reggae Blues” masterfully blended with other anthems such as “Police In Helicopter”, “Bloodwarriors”, “Special” “Technique” & “Future” Remixes. Dub Dread is a refreshing change that shows Ray Keith’s pioneering and diverse talents.

“Dub Dread is a refreshing change that shows Ray Keith’s pioneering and diverse talents.”

2005 saw Ray Keith remix some huge tracks including “The Future” on R.A.W. Records and “Police in Helicopter” Remix for Rebel MC on Congo Natty Records. He was also commissioned to remix the all time Jungle anthem, “I’m a Junglist” that was released late 2005 and still causes seas of ravers chanting the infamous lyrics every time it’s dropped.

Also helping to promote London’s legendary rave event “Best of British” with Ryan form ATM magazine, which saw some highly successful events over the years, Ray can turn his hand to anything and works hard to make sure it’s a success. He religiously goes to the studio every week to produce and remix new tunes, constantly adapting to new sounds and looking to the future. For over 10 years he has worked very closely with his engineer Nookie from Good Looking Records to produce pioneer and fresh sounds.

As you can tell Ray Keith is one of the hardest working artists in the Drum & Bass scene and that is why his status is so legendary so make sure you come down to Hidden on Saturday 22nd November for Digital X-Pressions to experience the “Ray Keith Decade of Dread Set!”

CLICK HERE TO EXPERIENCE THE LEGENDARY RAY KEITH FOR ONLY £5!