Lee Scratch Perry | Artist
Rainford Hugh 'Lee' Perry OD aka Scratch aka The Upsetter, was a Jamaican dub reggae musician and producer born 1938 in Kendal, Jamaica. At his legendary Black Ark Studio in the '60s and '70s Perry's innovative techniques and production style pioneered the development of dub music using remixing and studio effects to create new versions of existing reggae tracks. He produced some of the best reggae and dub albums of that era, working with artists like Bob Marley, Max Romeo, Junior Murvin, Mikey Dread, The Heptones, The Congos and his house band The Upsetters. Perry got into the Kingston scene at a young age, where he apprenticed at Studio One and was a record seller for Clement Coxsone Dodd's Sound System A. After a short and acrimonious stint working with Joe Gibbs, he formed his own label, Upsetter Records in 1968 and had a hit single "People Funny Boy", which sold 60,000 copies in Jamaica alone. It is notable for its innovative use of a sample (a crying baby) as well as a fast, chugging beat. From 1968-72, he worked with the Upsetters, releasing numerous records which were popular in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom. He soon became known for his innovative production techniques as well as his eccentric character. In 1970, Perry produced and released the Wailers track "Mr Brown" with its unusual use of studio effects and eerie opening highlighting his unique approach to production. In 1973, Perry built the Black Ark studio in his back yard to have more control over his productions. There he produced notable musicians such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Byles, Junior Murvin, the Heptones, the Congos and Max Romeo. He also started the Black Art label, on which many of the productions from the studio appeared. The Black Ark studio burnt to the ground in the late 70's and Perry spent more time in England and the United States, performing live and making erratic records with a variety of collaborators, including Adrian Sherwood, Mad Professor and Bill Laswell. In addition to the many superb albums Scratch produced for other artists, outstanding Upsetters and solo albums include Roast Fish Collie Weed and Corn Bread, Double Seven, Dub Blackboard Jungle, The Upsetter, Super Ape, Magaton Dub 1&2, Fire In Dub, and the magnificent Arkology compilation. The 2016 release Black Ark Classic Songs is also recommended. In 2003, Perry won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album with the album Jamaican E.T. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Perry number 100 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In a 2010 Rolling Stone interview Keith Richards praised Lee Perry, commenting "You could never put your finger on Lee Perry – he’s the Salvador Dali of music".
Artist Website: lee-perry.com
Featured Albums: Lee Scratch Perry
Related Artists: The Upsetters, Mad Professor, Lee Perry
Video Clips: Black Ark Studio, Party Time, Super Ape
