African Anthem Dubwise [Deluxe Edition] (Auralux, 2004 [orig. released 1979])

*GUEST REVIEW*
Michael Campbell (AKA Mikey Dread) was the DJ behind the groundbreaking Dread at the Controls show on the JBC.  Campbell was initially forbidden to speak on his show due to his engineer status and had to use a pre-recorded announcer.  However, he worked around his restrictions by using many strange sound effects and jingles to marry the tunes together.  Dread played lots of exclusive dub plates from the likes of Lee Perry and King Tubby, amassed quite a following, and managed to upset the management at his radio station.  Mikey also set up his Dread at the Controls label.  African Anthem was his first album and first release on his label.  It features of a mix of dub and DJ tracks with a fair number of jingles and sound effects.  This album is a joy to listen to.  It’s fresh, loose, funky and above all, entertaining.  Don’t be put off by the “interesting wallpaper” on the sleeve.  If you enjoyed the Dread Meets Punk Rockers Uptown set by Don Letts, then give this a listen.  

- ragudave