The Washington DC-based Real Authentic Sounds label (RAS Records) was started in 1979 through the mind of Doctor Dread. During his many trips to Jamaica, Doctor Dread began to build a solid relationship with the people and artists of Jamaica. There, he developed a devotion to spread the message of Rastafari and to share the rich Jamaican culture with music lovers worldwide. These experiences helped establish RAS as one of the early torch bearers of reggae. Quickly outgrowing the basement of his home where RAS began, Doctor Dread’s vision grew by leaps and bounds to become the prominent distributor of reggae in America. In the early 80s, the RAS label made significant developments in reggae by signing such acts as Black Uhuru, Don Carlos, Inner Circle, Culture, Junior Reid, Yellowman, J.C. Lodge and Freddie McGregor. In 1988, RAS became the force that reunited Israel Vibration, who, to this day, are a major force in reggae music. Sponsoring tours of RAS artists across America in the early 80s, RAS helped to establish a strong and positive bond between Jamaica and the USA.
RAS was nominated for numerous Grammy awards over the years, and in 1996, were the proud recipient of the award for Bunny Wailer’s 1996 tribute, Hall of Fame: A Tribute to Bob Marley’s 50th Anniversary.
Below you will find the RAS newsletter titled “The Reggae Connection” given to me recently by founder and former chief of RAS Records, Doctor Dread.  This issue (Vol. 1 No. 2) was published in November 1981.  Of note in this newsletter:
  • Announcement of the Berkeley Reggae Sunblast, a concert featuring The Wailers performing for the first time since Bob’s journey home.  Also on the bill are young megatalent Hugh Mundell, Wailing Souls, Joe Higgs and others.  (Our own Doug Wendt AKA MIDNIGHT DREAD, is instrumental in making this show happen).
  • Rita Marley’s new single “One Draw” is receiving airplay in the States;
  • A new upstart record label called HEARTBEAT releases several albums from it’s Boston home base.
  • Announcement of Mutabaruka’s first LP;
  • Announcement of a film called ‘Countryman’ featuring the music of Bob Marley and the Wailers;
  • Doctor Dread’s review of Reggae Sunsplash and a rare interview with Duckie Simpson and Michael Rose of Black Uhuru.
  • A review of Bunny Wailer’s new album ‘Rock and Groove.’
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