This collection includes some of Lee Perry’s most influential productions. Many tracks are new to CD and numerous were major Jamaican hits. During a career as an illustrious record producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry tested and extended the boundaries of Reggae and by 1973, his productions clearly stood apart from those being created by most of his Jamaican peers, with his Dub sound increasing the direction of his work. This is a compelling selection that comprises Perry’s productions from 1973.

DISC ONE

1. HOT LINE – Dave Barker. This artist was one half of the duo Dave & Ansel Collins who we remember having a big UK hit with ‘Double Barrell’. Starting off with a telephone conversation it then moves into a fast-moving organ dominated sound on which Dave Barker does his one word vocal as on the above-mentioned hit. Released in UK on Rhino Records label. 3. STATION UNDERGROUND NEWS – Lee Perry. Another fast-moving sound on which Lee Perry sounds rather like Dave Barker with a similar style on word vocal. The vocalist is helped-out by a chorus at times and this becomes a semi-Dub recording. Released on Bread label out of Trojan Records in UK. 6. DR WHO – I Roy. Nothing new about the artist’s vocal which is his usual talk-over. Again a fast-moving sound, nothing exceptional about this. Just I Roy doing what he does best. Released in UK on Panther label in Jamaica. 8. CONQUEROR – Stranger & Gladdy. This duo are Stranger Cole and Gladstone Anderson and perform on what is a mid-tempo sound. The duo’s vocals blend together well and the rhythm track is punchy. At times this comes over as a religious sound and the track was written by the vocalists. Released in UK on Drayton label. 11. THREE BLIND MICE – Leo Graham. Yes, you’ve guessed it Leo Graham vocalises on a version of the well-known nursery rhyme. The vocal at times comes as a talk-over and the track is mid-tempo with some fine trombone playing. 6mins 5secs is just about long enough to not get too much. Released on Upsetter label in Jamaica and Summit label in UK. 13. BLACK IPA – The Upsetters. Starts off with a spoken intro before going into a typical Upsetter sound with a chug-along rhythm track. Nothing special about this, just one of numerous Upsetter recordings. Released in Jamaica on Justice League label and UK on Downtown label out of Trojan Records. 15. JUNGLE LION – Lee Perry & The Upsetters. Giving its title to the collection it starts off with alien sounding vocal before moving into a fast sound with a chug-along track on which short vocal bursts are heard from time-to-time. The overall recording is catchy and an Upsetter sound through-and-through. Released in Jamaica on Justice League label and UK Upsetter label. 17. THANKS WE GET – The Versatiles. This comes with a full-on combined group vocal and a mid-tempo rhythm track. The backing comes with vibraphone, another okay recording from a group that started recording way-back. 20. OPRESSION – Delroy Delton. Vocalist of The Silvertones, Delroy Denton Butler, recorded this song in 1974. It’s a strong track, originally released on the b side of The Silvertones’ ‘Thanks We Get’, miscredited to The Heptones. Released in the UK on Pama Records.  24. UNCLE CHARLY VERSION – Dillinger. Actually credited to Young Dillinger on its release and is a fast-moving sound that has Dillinger doing a fine version with a talk-over vocal. The backing comes without any percussion but does have a chorus. This was released in Jamaica on the islands Upsetter label.

DISC TWO

1. WORDS OF MOUTH – The Gatherers. Very rare alternative vocal cut, tuff deep roots classic recorded at Lee Perry’s Black Ark studio. After a long instrumental intro we hear a combined group vocal in front of a punchy rhythm track. Comes as a pleasing recording. 4. BE PREPARED – Keith Poppin. After a longish instrumental intro it has Keith Poppin doing a fine job on vocal, helped-out by backing singers. The rhythm track is mid-tempo with very little percussion. It is a pleasing recording. This was released as a b side in Jamaica on the Upsetter label. 7. SICK AND TIRED – Neville Grant. This is a vocal version of ‘Return Of Django’ and is a rather rare recording and highly collectable. Neville Grant’s vocal comes across well over the above-mentioned rhythm track. As one might expect this comes very catchy and one admires Neville’s ability to enhance a well-known instrumental. Released in UK on Downtown label out of Trojan Records. 10. MID-EAST ROCK – Dillinger. This is a mid-tempo sound and as usual the Dillinger vocal is a talk-over. The rhythm track comes with a small amount of percussion and as talk-overs go this is passable. The was released in Jamaica on the Justice League label as a b side and in UK on the Downtown label. 13. BUCKY SKANK – Lee Perry. The sound of bells starts off this talk-over sound. The rhythm track comes with an on-off guitar riff and in its way is catchy. Perry does a fine job on the talk-over vocal and overall it is a pleasing recording. Released in UK on Downtown label out of Trojan Records. 15. WHAM PAM PA DO – Dillinger. On the original release this was credited to Young Dillinger. Another talk-over vocal as one would expect and a mid-tempo rhythm track on which one hears another on off vocal in the distance. The recording is nothing special just another listenable recording in this genre that was a b side when first out in the Jamaican shops. Released in Jamaica on the Justice League label. 18. DUB ORGANISER – Dillinger. Once again we hear Dillinger and as usual with this artist it starts off with a spoken intro. This is a full-on Dub sound with backing from Tommy Mc Cook & The Upsetters, therefore we hear some saxophone from time-to-time. Nothing that special about this just another Dub sound. Released in Jamaica on Scandal Bag label as an album track, 1988. 21. WOMAN STARTER – Billy Dyce. This comes from an artist whose real name is Ramsford White and has a slick mid-tempo rhythm track that has a catchy feel to it. This has the Pama Records production sound that most of us will be familiar with. Released in UK on Pama label, 1973. 23. WOMAN AND MONEY – Denzil Dennis. A mid-tempo sound on which Denzil comes across well on a clear vocal. The rhythm track is catchy and has some piano/organ that adds well to the overall sound. A Pama Records production and the a side to the final track on this collection. Released in Jamaica on the blue and white Upsetter label and UK on Pama Supreme label, 1974. 24. 10c SKANK – The Upsetters. When released by Pama Records it was credited as ’10 Cent Skank’ and comes as a light Dub sound. The rhythm track is mid-tempo and it sounds like the rhythm used on the pevious reviewed track. In its way this is a very cool instrumental from an outfit that came in many disguises over the centuries. Good ending to the collection. As mentioned above this was released on Pama Records Supremme label, 1974.

CONCLUSION

This collection comprises 2 CDs and includes Perry’s releases as an independent producer from the late ’60s onwards. This is a well put together collection on the Doctor Bird imprint, from Cherry Red Records and not only fans of Lee ‘Scatch’ Perry but music fans in general should consider purchasing a copy, it is available at £14 99p.

Dennis Alcapone – Rasta Dub