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NO SOUNDCLIP SEALED COPY!
"Lee "Scratch" Perry: a genius, ? A madman? A mystic man?
There can be no doubt that Lee "Scratch" Perry is one of the most
consequential figures in the world of music, creator of countless reggae
classics, a mentor to Bob Marley, an architect of dub music, and inspiration to
musicians around the world ranging from The Clash to the Beastie Boys
Though Scratch may have at times seemed crazy, it is worth noting that creative
genius appears so because geniuses see things others do not see and inhabit
realities unseen. As the music on this album reveals, Lee Perry's Black Ark creations
re-arrange the familiar into something new and magical.
Lee spent his early days working with legendary producers Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid,
Joe Gibbs, Clancy Eccles and Prince Buster, and by 1968 he was an independent
producer, naming his studio musicians The Upsetters and scoring instrumental hits
with innovative rhythms that helped forge the new reggae style. In 1970-1971 he
produced what many consider the greatest works by the Wailers; in 1968 one of his
Upsetters productions hit #5 on the UK pop chart and more hits followed. That gave
him the funds to build his own studio and in 1973 the legendary Black Ark was born.
Among the many landmark classics cut at Black Ark are such incisive political
commentaries as Max Romeo's "War Ina Babylon," and Junior Murvin's "Police and
Thieves" (covered by the Clash). The Congos' "Heart of the Congos" album is a roots
classic and there are many wonderful obscure singles such as Carlton and the Shoes'
"Better Days." Many dub creations made innovative use of Scratch's sonic wizardry via
echo, phasing, reverb, fanging, wah-wah and various sound effects.
It all came to an end in 1978 as Lee, besieged by extortionists, freeloaders, religious
fanatics and assorted pilgrims, let the studio lapse. And then he set it on fre, some
say due to frustration, others say from mental collapse. He left Jamaica, collaborated
with musicians around the world, toured as a sort of mystic trickster/ shaman and
prospered. But his work at Black Ark will always stand as his ultimate creative
achievement."
Side 1:
1. Vibrate On ft. Lee "Scratch" Perry, Augustus Pablo
2. Fisherman Dub ft. Lee "Scratch" Perry, Congos
3. War Ina Babylon ft. Max Romeo
4. Sufferers Time ft. The Heptones
5. Fever ft. Jr. Byles
Side 2:
1. Scratch The Dub Organiser ft. The Upsetters, King Tubby, Dillinger
2. Better Days ft. Carlton & The Shoes
3. Police & Thieves ft. Jr. Murvin
4. Traveling In Dub ft. Lee "Scratch" Perry/Upsetters
5. River ft. Zap Pow
6. Dreader Dub ft. Lee "Scratch" Perry/Upsetters
R.O.W. Customers please note: We are always conscious of the cost of shipping your order. It is cheaper to ship packages overseas through Royal Mail International Signed For than via an alternative courier and with this in mind we will send orders over this weight as two separate packages and refund any excess back to the customer
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