Reggae music’s greatest performers along with some artists that will be new to the listener. As the 1970’s progressed the productions coming from Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry reflected both his unique and innovative approach to music making. Throughout the course of 1972, during which his role in the development of what was to become known as Dub was progressively demonstrated, the recordings dealt with political, social and cultural matters more than ever. There have been several Lee Perry collections released by Cherry Red Records on the Doctor Bird imprint that have showcased his Jamaican productions from his earliest days onward as a record producer. This collection features some of his finest pre-Black Ark material, performed by such Reggae legends as Augustus Pablo, Junior Byles, The Heptones, Dennis Alcapone and Max Romeo. Now let’s take a look at a selection of the featured tracks.
DISC ONE
1. TIPPER SPECIAL – The Upsetters. As one would expect this is an instrumental sound. It has a punchy mid-tempo rhythm track and some strange sounds at times. It goes into a semi-Dub number at times from midway through. A catchy sound that starts the collection in a good way. Released in Jamaica on a red/black Upsetter label in 1971. 4. PUBLIC ENEMY NO.1 – Max Romeo. This has a backing track not unlike the one found on the ‘Ire Feelings’ recording and is punchy. Written by the soloist it has the distinct Max Romeo vocal. This again is a catchy sound which gets one’s feet tapping. Released in Jamaica on Upsetter label and UK on Pama’s Camel label. 6. PROFESSOR IRONSIDE – Lloyd Parks. Starting off with a spoken intro and at a slow pace with the rhythm track similar to the one found on ‘Fattie Bum Bum’ by Carl Malcolm. The vocal is good and the overall track is catchy. Released in Jamaica on the Justice League label in 1972. 8. THIS WORLD – King Medious. Another slow sound and based around the ‘Fever’ rhythm. The artist is new to me and is joined by Junior Byles. This naturally has a combined vocal and the rhythm track although not very special does hold one’s attention. Released in Jamaica on the Justice League label in 1973. 11. WHO FEELS IT CHAPTER TWO – The Upsetters. This track is mid-tempo and comes with a combined vocal, strange as this outfit is usually instrumental and it could be Prince Tallis & The Challis on vocal, whoever they are. The vocal is rather subdued and not throughout. Written by Lee Perry and Kelin Beckford. 15. COME TOGETHER – Hopeton Lewis. Not to be confused with the Lennon/McCarney song, it is a mid-tempo sound with some fine organ playing. The vocal is rather subdued and not throughout, again written by Lee Perry and Kelin Beckford. Released in Jamaica on the Wizz Dom label in 1972. 18. FULL CHARGE PART TWO – Augustus Pablo & Val Benett. As one would expect this comes with the Pablo melodica and has Benett on organ. This was the b side to to ‘Hot Pipe Part One’ by Prina Phillo, another artist not well known. Nothing special about this, a side is slightly more interesting. Released in Jamaica on the Justice League label in 1972. 25. I DO LOVE YOU – The Heptones. This is a mid-tempo, punchy sound from one of Jamaica’s finest outfits. The vocal is clear and the main vocalist is joined by further group members from time-to-time. Released in Jamaica on the Wizz Dom label.
DISC TWO
1. ROUND AND AROUND – The Melodians. A slower number than those found on disc 1 and it has combined group vocals. The rhythm track is catchy and contains some piano at times. At 2mins 21secs one feels that it is not long enough and this is one of the best tracks on the collection. 4. BLACK SUPREME – Ansel Collins. The rhythm track for this is was originally from Neville Grant’s, ‘Blackman Time’ which naturally lends itself to the collections title. This has a ‘Pop-Goes-The-Weasel’ rhythm track at times. The track is mid-tempo and is nothing special although it is catchy. Released in UK on Upsetter label in 1972. 6. FRENCH CONNECTION – Lee Perry. This has a talk-over vocal and comes from Perry himself, it is another mid-tempo sound. The rhythm track is punchy with organ as the main backing instrument. Released in UK on Upsetter label in 1972. 8. SMILING FACES – Tinga Stewart. Raunchy rhythm track on this with Tinga doing a fine vocal. The backing comes minus any percussion and does nothing to enhance the track. This is okay, nothing special. Released in Jamaica on Justice League label in 1972. 14. MASTER KEY – Dennis Alcapone. Most Jamaican music fans will know the Alcapone sound and this will not disappoint. Trombone is to the fore on the rhythm track which comes slower than previous tracks. One expects a talk-over vocal and this is one, put together by Lee Perry. Released in UK on Upsetter label in 1972. 11. KING OF KINGS VERSION – The Upsetters. This comes as the b side to ‘Who Feels It’ by Prince Challis & The Challis and is a mid-tempo sound. The rhythm track is nothing special and comes with some organ breaks. Released in UK on Upsetter label in 1972. 14. BACK BITTER – Dennis Alcapone. This has a pulsating rhythm track and top-notch talk-over vocal from one of Jamaica’s top talk-over artists. Trombone is prominent on the backing and this track is catchy and a good example of this genre. Released in Jamaica on Wizz Dom label and UK on Upsetter label in 1972. 18. COOL IRON -The Willows. This is a slowish number from an outfit one knows nothing about, there was an American group of the same name. The vocal comes clear and has a lead vocal and combined, at times. Released in Jamaica on Justice League label. 20. DA DA – Junior Byles. This has a slow intro before it has a top-notch vocal from an artist who didn’t get the acclaim he should have in the UK. Byles is joined by further vocalists at times which come from Jamaican outfit The Jamaicans and one end up listening to a catchy recording. Released in Jamaica on Wizz Dom label in 1972. 22. NATTY NATTY – Alva Lewis. This artist is the only female on the collection and gives a good clear vocal. The backing track is somewhat laid-back and slowish. Nothing special about this, just another pleasant Reggae recording from an artist the listener may not have come across before. 24. COME DA DA – Chubby & Scratch. The vocal on this is spoken rather than sung in front of a punchy rhythm track. At times Chubby is joined by Scratch, obviously Lee Perry who sounds like Dave Barker on ‘Double Barrell. The main vocalist turns out to be Junior Byles and along with Lee Perry he co-wrote this track. The two vocalists combine to give the listener a fine Rootsy sound. Released in Jamaica on a yellow Upsetter label in 1972. 25. COME DA DA VERSION – The Upsetters. This is the final track on the collection and comes as a Dub version of the previous track. Nothing more to say about this.
CONCLUSION
Over the decades many Lee Perry recordings/productions have been released. Now Cherry Red Records have released this 2CD collection on their Doctor Bird imprint and will no doubt be welcomed by fans of this Jamaican legend, many other music fans may enjoy this. Overall it is a well packaged collection and along with the usual 8 page booklet makes it good value for money at £14 99p.