Recorded in 1977 at the hand of Lee “Scratch” Perry in the legendary Black Ark lies one of its most beguiling and misunderstood creations. Two talented Congolese musicians were brought to Jamaica to record an album only to be unceremoniously dumped by their promoter and fend for themselves. Found begging on the streets of Kingston by Perry himself, as the story is told, The Upsetter took it as a sign from Jah to take them in, and a serendipitous musical collaboration followed.
Category: Lee Perry
The Upsetter Director Adam Bhala Lough on Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Supernatural Will
“Without a doubt, there was something mystical and magical going on with Lee Perry.” Co-director Adam Bhala Lough joins us to discuss his film, The Upsetter: The Life & Music of “Lee” Scratch Perry and what he learned from his time with the late dub pioneer and artist.
King Scratch (Musical Masterpieces from the Upsetter Ark-ive)
A year after Lee Perry’s passing, King Scratch: Musical Masterpieces from the Upsetter Ark-ive gathers 40 top-shelf Upsetter productions that serve as an ideal introduction to Perry’s sublimely bizarre oeuvre for the uninitiated, or an immaculately curated retrospective for the already enlightened.
The Upsetter: The Life And Music of Lee “Scratch” Perry
Here’s one to most definitely catch before the man takes it down. The definitive life story chronicling Jamaican music legend–the upsetter–Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Narrated by Benicio Del Toro and directed by Ethan Higbee & Adam Bhala Lough.
Lee “Scratch” Perry :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
When I call up the reggae legend, Lee “Scratch” Perry, The Upsetter, to talk about his new album Rainford I reach him on a grainy WhatsApp audio connection. He’s in Jamaica and he’s in bed, “looking at the lights. looking at the day, and looking at the night.”
Perry’s in his eighties and when he gets going he speaks in limericks, but he doesn’t come across as wacky, just joyful. The first thing I notice about Perry is the giggle that roils through the conversation and punctuates his sentences. It’s disarming, a Buddha-like by-product of a lifetime of producing joy by way of deep and heavy rhythms, and meant for killing egos.
The Upsetters :: Double Six
“Double Six” via Double Seven . Enter the mandala of Lee Perry, circa 1974, as voiced by U-Roy