A Lee Perry & The Upsetters – Jungle Lion
B The Upsetters – Freak Out Skank
Lee Perry & The Upsetters’ Jungle Lion stands as an energetic and captivating instrumental reggae masterpiece. Through rhythmic grooves, echoing layers, and deep, resonant bass lines, Perry’s pioneering production conjures a hypnotic soundscape.
The track itself kicks off with Lee Perry’s distinctive lion-like growl, before The Upsetters lock into a compelling riddim drawing inspiration from Al Green’s Love And Happiness. The single’s B-side features Perry’s own remix of The Upsetters’ instrumental track.
Notably, Jungle Lion was recorded at Chalk Farm Studios in London prior to Perry establishing his iconic Black Ark Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, which became the foundation for many groundbreaking recordings.
Initially released as a single in 1973, backed with its version, Freak Out Skank, Jungle Lion quickly became a beloved classic among reggae fans. It saw its release in Jamaica on the Justice League imprint and in the UK via the Upsetter label.
This essential single has been faithfully reissued by Skank and Groove, allowing a new generation to experience its enduring power.