LEE SCRATCH PERRY Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Mercy is a collaborative work between the late great Lee "Scratch" Perry (during his post-Black Ark Studios era), Peter Harris and Fritz Catlin, the drummer from the industrial funk dub act 23 Skidoo. What they cook up is unashamedly experimental outsider works that collide mad mixing desk trickery, Perry's trademark vocal mutterings and plenty of occult sound designs. Melodies are smeared and smudged, rhythms are drunk and off balance and moods range from balmy to bonkers, often within the same damn track. A maverick collage, for sure.

Review: Hey, Mr. Music! The expertly rediscovered North West London soul singer Candy McKenzie (sister of Bunny McKenzie) hears her Trojan Records debut, and only album, reissued through MOV. "Upset" by Lee Perry of all people - the late great dub producer titularly "introduces" McKenzie as person of interest here - this sole LP from McKenzie, first unearthed in 2011 but recorded unmistakably in the 80s - betrays a nonconformist character, crossing blurrily between percussive lovers rock and bubbly new wave. McKenzie's vocal style is aplomb and vigorous, and is well contrasted to the otherwise soothing laryngeals of Perry's many other femme familiars, such as Susan Cadogan.

Review: Legendary reggae artist and snooker of the smoke Lee Perry left us a few years ago but his legacy will always live on through the vast amounts of music he was involved with. Originally released in 1984 on Island/Mango, this album History Mystery Prophesy gets a welcome reissue and features an array of his most weed-worshipping songs. Recorded across multiple studios in Jamaica and at Compass Point in Nassau, it delves into the funky electro-pop sounds of the era and highlights include tracks like 'Heads Of Government' and 'Mr Music.'

Review: Back in 2010 before his sad passing, the great Lee "Scratch" Perry dropped Revelation, an album made at his second studio in Switzerland, which is where he lived after spending most of his life working from his legendary Black Ark Studio in Jamaica. For this one, he collaborated with Keith Richards and George Clinton to complete what was a three-part series made with English musician and producer Steve Marshall aka John Saxon. It was accompanied day a full-length film offering behind-the-scenes access to the making of the album, which now gets reissued on limited and numbered gatefold 180-gram audiophile translucent yellow vinyl. A real modern classic.

Review: Scratch Came Scratch Saw Scratch Conquered is the 2008 album by Lee 'Scratch' Perry, legendary Jamaican producer, composer and singer known for his innovative studio techniques and pioneering contributions to dub music. From his Black Ark Studio in Kingston, Perry produced for artists like Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin, and The Congos. Relocating to Switzerland later in his career, Perry continued to innovate, collaborating with The Beastie Boys, The Clash, and George Clinton. This album is the second in a trilogy created with English musician and producer Steve Marshall, also known as John Saxon. Featuring guest appearances by George Clinton and Keith Richards, Scratch Came Scratch Saw Scratch Conquered showcases Perry's enduring influence and creativity. The 2LP limited edition is pressed on translucent green vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve, with only 1500 individually numbered copies available. This release is ideal for fans of Perry's groundbreaking work in dub and beyond.

Review: Lee "Scratch" Perry, a Jamaican record producer, singer, and songwriter, is largely acclaimed for his innovative and experimental production techniques. His Black Ark Studio, established in the mid-1970s, became a renowned hub for reggae music production, fostering the talents of numerous artists. Perry's Black Ark studio was not merely a recording space but an alchemic laboratory where he conjured sonic masterpieces. With his use of tape loops, heavy reverb, and other unorthodox techniques, Perry created a distinct and hypnotic sound that transcended conventional reggae boundaries. Artists such as Bob Marley, the Wailers, and Max Romeo flocked to Black Ark to collaborate with Perry. In his studio, Perry's intuitive approach to music making blurred the lines between producer and artist. He considered himself a "musical doctor" whose role was to guide and inspire the musicians. The Black Ark became a sanctuary for musical experimentation, where artists were encouraged to explore their creativity freely. This vinyl has been out of print and completely unavailable until now.

Review: Being the prolific maverick he was known and loved for, we're still catching up with the output of the mighty Lee Scratch Perry long after his passing. Amongst the posthumous releases coming to light of late is this album on Tricky's False Idols label, in which Perry linked up with UK producer Daniel Boyle for a follow-up to their double hits of Back At The Controls and Black Album. It's a wide-ranging affair taking the dub approach to many different genres, with some noticeable contributions from artists like Greentea Peng, Shaun Ryder and Tricky himself. It's another fine reminder of what a gift of inspiration Perry was to the world of music, restlessly creative well into his later years.

Review: Dub innovator, celebrated smoker of the herb and much-loved nutter Lee Scratch Perry has been gone a while now but his musical legacy will never fade. Partly, of course, because he made so damn much of it during a prolific career, most of it at his own iconic Black Arc studios. Not so much of it was solo work but Heaven is, and is also the final album he wrote before passing in late 2021. His contribution to Jamaican music knows no bounds and took the form of him being producer, arranger, writer and artist. His unique take on the island's signature sound is present and correct here.

Review: The legend of the late great musical maverick and fascinating soul that was Lee 'Scratch' Perry will never diminish, such was the impact of what he did in the world of dub and reggae. He sure did a lot of it, too, so reissues will always come thick and fast with the latest being Jamaican E.T.. It came on February 5, 2002 via the Sanctuary/Trojan label and went on to win the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. His psychedelic dub roots are at the heart of each tune with elements of modern, roots and lovers rock all featuring. Check his cover of 'I'll Take You There' for the real highlight here.

Review: Is there a more famous nutcase in music than Lee Scratch Perry? The legendary producer is still very much on the musical money, though, no matter how weird he gets in person. This record for Stones Throw finds him working with Peaking Lights' Aaron Coyes and Argentinian dubber Ivan Diaz Mathe on a series of heavyweight tunes that are brilliantly psychedelic. The title track is a cosmic stepper then "No Age" is a wandering dub with oodles of trippy effects and stoner leads that make way for some of his textbook vocal musings on "Magik." After immersive closer "No Age" you'll be keen to do it all again.

Review: A posthumous Lee 'Scratch' Perry box set is here, designed to co-incide with the anniversary of the dub pioneer's passing, courtesy of the star's main advocates Trojan Records. Including a digital version, a CD and a 4xLP version, it also comes with a 50-page fully illustrated book written by Perry's official biographer David Katz. It contains rare and unreleased mixes and tunes alongside some of his best known work, with Junior Murvin's reggae staple 'Police And Thieves' and the Upsetters' boss reggae classic 'Return Of Django' numbering among the 109 tracks included .

Review: Following on from the posthumous Lee 'Scratch' Perry box set courtesy of the star's main advocates Trojan Records which included a digital version, a CD and a 4xLP version, as well as a 50-page fully illustrated book written by Perry's official biographer David Katz comes this more compact double vinyl collection of most of the best bits of music. It contains rare and unreleased mixes and tunes, including a mix of Junior Murvin's reggae staple 'Police And Thieves'.

Review: This third volume of the Disco Devil Black Ark series pulls together 6 classics from Lee "Scratch" Perry's studio. 4 discomixes and 2 vocal/dub edits - the audio on these tracks has been extensively restored from original pressings yet it allows Perry's bizarre and wonderful tricks and techniques to shine through while maintaining the raw quality that made them so real in the first place. Jamaican roots music that's imbued with plenty of ganja spirit, from tricked out and cosmic to deep and more insular, brought about by one man's brilliant work behind the boards.