Reid began his career at 16 as the house drummer at the Apollo Theatre, and his first recordings were with Martha & The Vandellas (including providing the backbeat to “Dancing in the Streets”).

He spent thee years in Africa working with Fela Kuti, then returned to the States to drum for the likes of James Brown, Ornette Coleman and Miles Davis.

Reid recorded an album in 2006 with electronic musician Kiernan Hebden (aka Four Tet) and three other albums in the years following.