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LEE "SCRATCH" PERRY
Ultimate Collection (Hip-O)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson
Scratch Perry's catalog is like a timeline of Jamaican music. He's been there at the forefront of each phase of reggae since the late 60s, and he's been incredibly prolific through the years, not only as an important solo artist but as one of the greatest producers of other artists. So, realistically, it would take a rather large box set to tell his story. For that reason, I approached this single disc "Ultimate Collection" with a whole lot of skepticism. But I have to tell you that even if they'd phoned in the first 14 tracks, the final one would have made me and a lot of other Scratch fans happy campers. "Roast Fish And Corn Bread" is simply the coolest Scratch track ever, and though it's available on any number of CDs, this one gives us the extended version from the original 1976 album. Happily, the other 14 are well chosen, with cuts by Marley, The Congos, Junior Murvin & Dillinger, Max Romeo, Junior Byles, The Heptones, George Faith and, of course, Lee Scratch Perry & The Upsetters. The only problem is they're all culled from his recordings made between 1974 and 1979, with the exception of The Wailers' "Duppy Conqueror," which was recorded in late 1969. This excludes all his early work as a disciple of Clement "Coxsone" Dodd and all of his dub work in the digital age. Taking that into consideration and accepting it for what it is, Ultimate Collection is a great listen that touches on most of the things that makes Lee Scratch Perry a Jamaican treasure.
Track List:
Lee Perry & The Upsetters - Enter The Dragon * Max Romeo & The Upsetters - War Ina Bab * The Wailers - Small Axe * Junior Murvin & Dillinger - Roots Train * Agustus Pablo Meets The Upsetter - Vibrate On * George Faith - To Be A Lover (Have Some Mercy) * The Wailers - Duppy Conqueror * Junior Byles - Curly Locks * The Congos - Neckodeemus * The Upsetters - Three In One * The Congos - Congoman * The Heptones & Jah Lion - Mr President * The Upseters - Dread Lion * Junior Murvin - Police & Thieves * Lee Perry - Roast Fish & Corn Bread (extended)
© 2000 - DJ Johnson