The Story Of Lee Scratch Perry

Order or stream King Scratch (MUSICAL MASTERPIECES FROM THE UPSETTER ARK-IVE) here: Jamaican record producer and singer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry (1936 - 2021) was noted for his unique approach to music-making, which resulted in the creation of an astounding body of work that proved instrumental in shaping not just the sound of Jamaican music, but profoundly influencing, entertaining and inspiring generations the world over. 1963 saw him make his debut with driving ska number ‘Old For New’, the success of which led to the follow up ‘Chicken Scratch’ which was the track that led to his most enduring nickname ‘Scratch’. After sessions with Karl ‘JJ’ Johnson, WIRL (West Indies Records Ltd.), and Prince Buster, Scratch was employed as a sound engineer for Joe Gibbs and created a series of superior rock steady singles including his own ‘I Am The Upsetter’, which established another of his long-lasting nicknames. It was Scratch’s own ‘People Funny Boy’ that became one of the biggest sellers of Jamaican music in 1968, not only ensuring the future of Scratch’s label ‘Upsetter Records’, but also prompting a deal with Trojan Records in Britain, who in 1969 set up its own Upsetter label to showcase the best of Scratch’s productions. After months spent building the British club scene, The Upsetters’ ‘Return Of Django’ backed with ‘Dollar in the Teeth’ broke into the pop charts, peaking at the number 5 spot. A variety of performers began to benefit from Scratch’s imitable talents, including a vocal trio that became Bob Marley and The Wailers. The 70’s saw Scratch re-affirm his standing as one of Jamaica’s most successful and influential producers and by 1973 he had built his Black Ark Studio, which saw him produce some of the most spellbinding music of the decade, with significant hits including Susan Cadogan’s popular cover of ‘Hurt So Good’, Junior Byles’ hypnotic lament, ‘Curley Locks’ and a series of compelling roots anthems, such as ‘Sufferer’s Time’ by The Heptones, Max Romeo’s ‘Sipple Out Deh’ (aka ‘War in a Babylon’) and Junior Murvin’s strident ‘Police and Thief’ aka ‘Police and Thieves’. Over the years that followed Scratch continued to perform and achieve significant success with his 1983 Trojan collection Jamaican ET winning a GRAMMY Award for Best Reggae Album. A pioneer and true innovator, Scratch was responsible for some of the greatest recordings in Jamaican music history and this album brings together such tracks, commencing with his breakthrough hit, ‘People Funny Boy’, right through to the title track of the Grammy Award-winning collection Jamaican E.T.