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Ray Keith
Ray Keith Biography
Ray Keith, born in the heart of Essex, in the historic town of Colchester, started his career in the Dance music scene back in early 1989. Having an immense passion for underground music as well as funk and soul, lead him to buy some turntables and mix the music he enjoyed listening to. He eventually managed to get to know the then owners of a nightclub called Oscars in Clacton-on Sea (Buster Brooker) and they let him play his first professional gig, which he enjoyed it so much that he was hooked for life! This moved him on to local raves like Laristos, The Venue, The Works and Andromeda and not forgetting the Hippodrome in Colchester. These venues were regularly visited by Ray in the early stages of his career and gave him the experience of what all DJs know hard work, unpredictability of the job and crowd satisfaction.
Before moving to the London club circuit, Ray held a residency at Cinderellas in Ipswich, giving him an idea of what the masses wanted at that time. The underground music scene was exploding and clubs were popping up everywhere in London and in the South East. The Crazy Club asked him to be a resident giving him knowledge of the London underground scene, and then went on to play for Future and Innocence at Lazerdrome in 1990-91.
Late 1992 saw Ray enter the world of music production, remixing tracks for Moby, Shades Of rhythm, St. Etienne and Orbital. This gave him the know how to work with other labels in the scene like Labello Blanco and Moving Shadow. During this period Ray worked for Dave at City Sounds in Holborn, moving onto Black Market Records in Soho where he is currently today, keeping one ear to the ground, in charge of the buying department.
After a time of producing and re-mixing tunes, Ray decided to start his own label in early 1994 called Dread Recordings, followed by Penny Black and UFO Records later. With prolific tracks like The Chopper, You Got Me Burning Up, Yes Yes and Something Out There on Dread he also managed to create another anthem for the Drum and Bass archives; The Renegade Terrorist on Moving Shadow Records.
Ray is at the cutting edge of Drum and Bass, securing a regular show currently on Vibe FM and an occasional appearance on Kiss FM, covering the whole South East. Playing at all major parties such as Planet V, Innovation, World Dance, Helter Skelter, Slammin Vinyl and a residency at Movement at Bar Rumba on Thursdays. His schedule is hectic with a string of worldwide tours in America, Europe, Asia and Australia under his belt.
In the latter part of 2002, Ray completed some major projects that involved working with chart toppers Big Brovaz, remixing known tracks as, Ok and Ring a Ding. He also remixed a beautiful vocal piece called Dont Get Me Wrong on AK Records, which is still present on most dance floors. Ray continued on his vocal and Latino vibe by making The Latin Quarter at the end of 2002 ready to feature on the V Recordings Drum and Bass Fiesta that was released in April 2003 and later on Dread in August.
2003 was a very busy year for Ray and Dread Recordings starting with a personal project close to Ray, was his cover of No No No, originally written by Dawn Penn, Teaming up with MC Navigator and the luscious lyrics of Alexander, I & Is main singer, this track takes Dread Recordings on a different level completely. This soulful piece is a favourite with the ladies and a change from the dark and tearing sound of Dread, showing Ray in his versatile mode.
We set up a website early that year all about Ray Keith, Dread, Penny Black and UFO recordings and the artists who contribute to the labels. We have an active forum and on line shop selling promotional material, exclusive and commercial releases. This has been a big hit with the entire Dread fan base out there.
Towards the end of 2003 Ray started his own DJ agency with his partner Lena who has been his manager since early 2002, He named it the Dread Entertainment Agency, and it is currently running in full swing, incorporating releases and tours together in the UK & Worldwide, The D.E.A. is continually expanding with more DJs and MCs joining the agency every year.
2004 was the big year for Ray Keith and Dread, as it was Ten Years of Dread Recordings and Ray celebrated this with a four part EP called Decade of Dread Still Standing with fresh new tracks from Ray Keith and remixes by Ray, Serum & Bladerunner of Ray Keith affiliated classics of 1994. This EP has continued it releases into 2005 with outstanding remixes of Terrodome, Chopper, Yes Yes, Sing Time and Girls Dem Want It to name a few. These have been greatly received and paved way for the next instalment from the label, DUB DREAD. To go along with the celebration was also the re- launch of Penny Black Records. This pinnacle label had been recuperating for two years and now is back with a succession of great releases from talent such as Blame, The Pedge, Serum, S-Man and Xample & Sol.
Last year was another great year for remixes for Ray Keith. He captured a wide audience when the Blood Warriors and The Future was released on R.A.W. Records and Police in Helicopter Remix for Rebel MC on Congo Natty Records followed the same suit, Subsequently Ray was commissioned to remix the all time Jungle anthem, Im a Junglist that will be released mid-late 2005 and currently has all the crowds singing the famous lyrics of this tune.
For those who know and dont know, Dub Dread is a Mix CD by Ray Keith with a selection of Dubby styled Jungle tracks by himself and the Dread Camp. Ray has been a source of inspiration to Serum & Bladerunner, given them ammunition to make some heavy material for this album. Tracks such as Lovin, Hot Girls, Dub Dread and Reggae Blues all have had positive feedback on dub plate. Entwined with other anthems such as Police In Helicopter, Bloodwarriors, Special, Technique & Future Remixes this album is a refreshing change that shows Ray Keith extraordinary talents.
Promoting our own nights and continuing with the Dub Dread Album Tour are our main focuses for 2005. However, Ray has another string to his bow and now owns longstanding rave organisation, Best Of British with his partner Ryan and will be concentrating to put on some spectacular events this year...all will be revealed soon.
There is no end to Rays talents; he is religiously in the studio every week producing and remixing tracks, constantly moving onto new ideas and looking to the future. Keeping a strong working bond with his engineer Nookie from Good Looking Records for the last ten years, contributes to making these talented individuals into a formidable team.
With an Ray Keith Album on the cards this summer, but with many tracks to complete, remixes, promoting and DJing you think does he ever have time to breath with the amount of work Ray gets through each week, leading me onto Rays motto hard work didnt hurt anybody proving that he is one of the most hardworking Artists in this scene.
Click here to request a booking for Ray Keith...
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