Ray Keith
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ray Keith
| image =
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| birth_name =
| alias = Armageddon, Babylon 5, Dark Soldier, Doctor Wootang, London's Most Wanted, Renegade, Terrorist
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Colchester, Essex, England
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| instrument =
| genre = Electronic, breakbeat, jungle, house
| years_active =
| label = Dread Recordings
| website =
}}
Ray Keith is a British drum and bass DJ and record producer. He is one of the genre's most well known producers and DJs and is regarded as one of the pivotal figures in the early jungle/drum and bass scene.
Biography
Keith cites influences including underground hip-hop music; electronic acts like Depeche Mode, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Gary Numan; and techno artists such as Derrick May, Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson.{{cite web|last=Cicic|first=Maja|date=18 December 2012|title=You Call the Shots: Ray Keith|url=https://breakbeat.co.uk/interviews/you-call-the-shots-ray-keith/|website=Drum&BassArena|access-date=26 January 2025}} Keith's interest in jazz, funk and soul music led him to buy turntables. He began DJing as a teenager in the 1980s around his native Essex and Suffolk. This was before he got his break DJing on the London acid house and rave scene.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadrecordings.com/artist/ray-keith/|title=Ray Keith – Biography Dread Recordings|website=Dreadrecordings.com}}
He started working as a recording artist and producer for his own style of music and other genres in 1990.{{Cite web|url=http://www.groove2.co.uk/dj/raykeith.htm|title=groove2.co.uk|website=Groove2.co.uk}} One of his early remixes was a bootleg mix of Orbital's Chime in 1990, which was then officially released in 1992.Drum 'n' bass – The Rough Guide – Peter Shapiro, p. 107, {{ISBN|1-85828-433-3}}
He found his niche with drum and bass music. He is famed for producing bass heavy yet soulful tunes and has made classics such as the jungle anthems "Terrorist" and "Chopper". Keith set up Dread Recordings in 1994 and has produced numerous albums. He has also remixed Moby, Shades of Rhythm and Moving Shadow.{{Cite web|url=http://www.outlineonline.co.uk/article/ray-keith|title=Ray Keith |website=Outlineonline.co.uk}}
His nephew, Peter O'Grady aka Joy Orbison, is also a DJ and producer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2009/09/09/interview-joy-orbison/|title=Interview: Joy Orbison|website=Factmag.com|date=9 September 2009}} Keith is a keen supporter of Manchester United football team
Discography
=Studio albums=
- Contact (UFO, 1999)
- Vintage Dread (Dread Recordings, 2000)
- Alien Encounter (UFO, 2001)
- Twisted Anger – Mothership (Dread Recordings, 2002)
- Blade Runner – Analog Bass (Dread Recordings, 2009)
- Dread Digital Volume 1 and Volume 2 (Dread Recordings, 2010)
- I Am Renegade (Dread Recordings, 2012)
- Ray Keith vs Bladerunner – Dubplate Clash Dub Dread 4 (Dread Recordings, 2012)
- The Golden Years: Back to '94 (Kniteforce Records, 2021)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.discogs.com/artist/2332-Ray-Keith Discogs.com - Ray Keith]
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Category:English record producers
Category:English drum and bass musicians
Category:British electronic dance music DJs
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
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