Produced and Directed by the Upsetter

Lee “Scratch” Perry was so prolific as both a performer and a producer, and so strange, that it can be hard to know where to start in getting to know his music. This compilation of Perry-produced tracks by a variety of reggae artists is a great entry point. It features songs by the likes of the Silvertones, the Heptones, Easton Clarke, and Junior Murvin, all produced by Perry at his Black Ark studio. These songs were originally issued as singles, each of which was backed by a dub version; the songs and their dubs are presented in sequence here, in “showcase” style. The dark and splashy sound of the Black Ark studio is almost like a separate character in this musical story, and Perry’s wildly experimental production style is in full effect. And the songs themselves are brilliant.