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- Released: February 2005
- Rating: 10/10
- Cat.no.: TJNBX225
- Format: 4-CD Boxset
- Tracks: 83 titles, including Return Of Django (UK No.5 1969),Keith Rowe – Groovy Situation, Bob Marley and the Wailers – Small Axe
Here comes the Upsetter – Lee Scratch Perry.
You can now trace the remarkable career of one of the leading lights in thedevelopment of reggae, who also used several other pseudonyms.
This awesome four disc boxset is a must for fans of the genre. It charts hispioneering work as writer, performer and producer.
Born Hugh Rainford Perry on March 26, 1936 in Hanover Jamaica, he was drawn toKingston in the early ’60s and worked for another legendary figure, ClementSir Coxone Dodd. Beginning as a gopher, spy, bouncer, record scout, he movedon to organising recording sessions, then handling songwriting and productionson Dodd releases at the famous Studio 1.
He left his employment with Dodd after a spat over payment, moving to a newlabel (Amalgamated) where he recorded an early reggae hit – People Funny Boy– a nasty jibe at Dodd. Later he was instrumental in the early success ofBob Marley and the Wailers, a relationship that lasted years despite its upsand downs. Other well known artists include Junior Murvin and Max Romeo (of WetDream infamy).
Each of the four discs captures the cream of his productions from 1968-1971,from 1972-1974 and 1975-1978, with the fourth disc concentrating on dub(instrumental remixes of existing recordings), which radically manipulate therecording through sound effects i.e.studio trickery.
Little known gems are thrown in the mix; previously the preserve of the seriouscollector. Behind the sunshine sounds; derivatives of 50s American soul music,there was a strong social and personal commentary levelled at other nativeartists and visitors to the sun-drenched beaches, as locals existed in abjectpoverty.
By disc three you can see how the styles have evolved into virtual Rock Steadygrooves that influenced bands such as Culture Club.
This lavish boxset comes with colour booklet which documents the individualreleases and label images etc.
Just put it on and let it play – all 83 tracks!
WeblinksTrojan-Records.net /Sanctuary Records Group.co.uk /Upsetter.net
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.