Five Legendary Songs From Musical Genius & Reggae Iconic Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry

Never has there been anyone quite like di late enigmatic producer, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Him musical genius is iconic and him recent passing has left a huge void inna di music industry and specifically Reggae.

Credited as one of di greatest artists of all time by Rolling Stone, Scratch  a di  master innovator of di digital era of reggae music; subsequently creating di sound of dub, remixing, dancehall, and hip hop.

Perry’s influence inna Jamaican music wid it international appeal, is no doubt infinitely etched wid-in di genres.

Here are five of him legendary slew of hits, not including him master work in production wid yuh favorite reggae, hip hop and dancehall giants.

I am The Upsetter
“I am The Upsetter” is di cheeky song produced by di songwriter on Joe Gibbs’ Amalgamated Records. Di track’s deep rocksteady beat propel him softly sung lyrical lesson dem fi di greedy and selfish. Recorded inna early 1968, di track permanently distinguishes di artist from Clement Coxonne Dodd, di man who gave him his first official job inna music.

People Funny Boy
It a di first single afta forming him owna label, Upsetter Records inna 1968; wen a dispute wid him second work colleague, Joe Gibbs guh sour. “People Funny Boy“, a blistering attack pon Gibbs, introduced Jamaicans and ultimately di world to a new sound inna music weh become reggae. Di track monumentally featured a technique used by no adda,  dan a sample sound of a crying baby.

Justice To The People
It’s a fresh spin pon The Chi-Lites’ 1971 hit, For God’s Sake (Give More Power To The People). “Justice To The People“, performed by Lee Perry and him band, The Upsetters in 1973, explores a heavy bassline wid a one drop melody, beautifully harmonized and intricately sampled wid injecting crying sounds.

Soul Fire
Inna 1978, di innovative producer released him first album, Roast Fish Collie Weed and Cornbread, featuring him owna vocals entirely. Di experimental album, dat was rejected by Island Records, has ten track listings. Track one, “Soul Fire”, is a jazz fused, soul igniting, rhythmically complex song. It’s magnetic sound induces di listener to put di record pon repeat.

Clear The Way
Track eleven from him 2002, Grammy winning Best Reggae Album, “Clear The Way” is a chaotic chant layered wid a rock influenced beat. Dese recordings showcase a contemporary approach to him already eccentric style of productions.

To you who made it ere…hope yuh enjoy listening as I enjoyed blogging. Peace.

Like, share and follow us on our social media platforms.

Sources: caribbeannationalweekly.com | Ramona Samuels

FAIM Hub

Freedom Artist In Motion