Lee Scratch Perry - King Scratch 2LP

 Despite its From the Upsetter Ark-Ive subtitle, King Scratch is not limited to material Perry recorded at his own Black Ark studio in the mid-to-late 1970s. Rather, it extends beyond those years in both directions, covering Perry productions ranging from 1968 all the way to 2002.

For many, Perry is primarily associated with Black Ark. Black Ark, in turn, is mainly associated with dub. However, what quickly becomes apparent on King Scratch is the impressively wide range of styles, singers, and even subgenres Perry produced. Early tracks like Perry’s own “People Funny Boy” and the Inspirations’ “Tighten Up” feature the quicker tempo of rocksteady; the latter even has ska-style horns. Gradually, though, the tempos slow down, and the basslines become deeper and more pronounced as reggae is born.