Crucial Cuts From The Heart Of The Ark 1973-1978

Description

Lee "Scratch" Perry: a genius? A madman? A mystical man? There is no doubt that Lee "Scratch" Perry is one of the most important figures in the music world, creator of countless reggae classics, mentor to Bob Marley, architect of dub music, and a source of inspiration for musicians around the globe, from the Clash to the Beastie Boys. While Scratch may have sometimes seemed mad, it is worth noting that creative genius often appears so because geniuses see things that others do not and inhabit invisible realities. As revealed by the music on this album, Lee Perry's Black Ark creations rearrange the familiar into something new and magical. Lee spent his early days working with legendary producers Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Joe Gibbs, Clancy Eccles, and Prince Buster, and by 1968, he was an independent producer, naming his studio musicians The Upsetters and marking instrumental hits with innovative rhythms that helped forge the new reggae style. In 1970-1971, he produced what many consider the greatest works of the Wailers; in 1968, one of his Upsetters productions reached #5 on the UK pop chart, and other hits followed. This provided him with the funds to build his own studio, and in 1973, the legendary Black Ark was born. Among the many landmark classics recorded at Black Ark are incisive political commentaries such as "War Ina Babylon" by Max Romeo and "Police and Thieves" by Junior Murvin (covered by the Clash). The album "Heart of the Congos" by the Congos is a roots classic, and there are many wonderful obscure singles such as "Better Days" by Carlton and the Shoes. Numerous dub creations made innovative use of Scratch's sound magic through echo, phasing, reverb, flanging, wah-wah, and various sound effects. Everything came to an end in 1978 when Lee, besieged by extortionists, parasites, religious fanatics, and assorted pilgrims, let the studio fade away. And then he set it on fire; some say out of frustration, others say due to mental collapse. He left Jamaica, collaborated with musicians from around the world, toured as a sort of trickster/mystical shaman, and thrived. But his work at Black Ark will always remain his ultimate creative achievement.