ARKOLOGY - Various Artists
(CD: Island CRNCD 6/524 379-2) 1976 - 1979

Reel One: Dub Organiser
1. DUB REVOLUTION (PART 1) - Lee Perry & The Upsetters • 2. ONE STEP FORWARD - Max Romeo • 3. ONE STEP DUB - The Upsetters • 4. VAMPIRE - Devon Irons • 5. VAMPIRE DUB - The Upsetters • 6. SUFFERER'S TIME - Heptones • 7. SUFFERER'S DUB - The Upsetters • 8. SUFFERER'S HEIGHTS - Junior Dread • 9. DON'T BLAME ON I - The Congos • 10. MUCH SMARTER - Meditations • 11. MUCH SMARTER DUB - The Upsetters • 12. LIFE IS NOT EASY - Meditations • 13. LIFE IS NOT EASY DUB - The Upsetters • 14. TEDIOUS - Junior Murvin • 15. WAR IN A BABYLON - Max Romeo • 16. REVELATION DUB - The Upsetters • 17. MR. PRESIDENT - The Heptones & Jah Lion • 18. CHASE THE DEVIL - Max Romeo

Reel Two: Dub Shepherd
1. DREADLOCKS IN MOONLIGHT - Lee Perry • 2. DREAD AT THE MANTROLS - Mikey Dread • 3. IN THESE TIMES - Errol Walker • 4. IN THESE TIMES DUB - The Upsetters • 5. NORMAN (EXTENDED DOMINO MIX) - Max Romeo w/ Jah Lion • 6. POLICE AND THIEVES - Junior Murvin • 7. MAGIC TOUCH - Glen DaCosta • 8. SOLDIER & POLICE WAR - Jah Lion • 9. GRUMBLIN' DUB - The Upsetters • 10. BAD WEED - Junior Murvin • 11. JOHN PUBLIC - Errol Walker • 12. JOHN PUBLIC VERSION - Enos Barnes & Errol Walker • 13. ROOTS TRAIN - Junior Murvin & Dillinger • 14. NO PEACE - Meditations • 15. NO PEACE DUB - The Upsetters • 16. RASTA TRAIN - Raphael Green & Dr. Alimantado • 17. PARTY TIME (PART 2) - The Upsetters

Reel Three: Dub Adventurer
1. VIBRATE ON - Augustus Pablo Meets The Upsetter • 2. VIBRATOR - The Upsetters • 3. BIRD IN HAND - The Upsetters • 4. CONGOMAN - The Congos • 5. DYON ANASAWA - The Upsetters & Full Experience • 6. RASTAMAN SHUFFLE - The Upsetters & Dillinger • 7. WHY MUST I VERSION - The Heptones & Lee Perry • 8. MAKE UP YOUR MIND - The Heptones • 9. CLOSER TOGETHER - Upsetter Revue featuring Junior Murvin • 10. GROOVY SITUATION - Keith Rowe • 11. GROOVY DUB - The Upsetters • 12. TO BE A LOVER - George Faith • 13. SOUL FIRE - Lee Perry • 14. CURLY LOCKS - Lee Perry • 15. FEAST OF THE PASSOVER - The Congos • 16. ROAST FISH AND CORNBREAD - Lee Perry • 17. CORN FISH DUB - The Upsetters

"It was only four tracks on the machine, but I was picking up twenty from the extra terrestrial squad."
(Lee Perry)

Arkology is an anthology of Black Ark treasures collected and annotated by Perry experts Steve Barrow and David Katz, a magnificent four hour set of music that is an absolutely essential collection for both old and new Lee Perry fans. A 52 page booklet is included, featuring a biography of Perry nicely punctuated by many unpublished interview quotes, an annotated track listing, terrific photos, and an earthy graphic design. It's one of those sets that makes you feel that you're buying a piece of history. Each CD of Arkology is made to look like a reel of master tape - a nice graphic touch. Perhaps Perry would have named them scrolls. Like Biblical scrolls, the music resonates with wisdom, righteousness, and - of course - an almighty groove.

Reel One starts off with "Dub Revolution", where Perry promises some music "that rocks the nation", a perfect way to begin the set. Other killers include The Congos' "Don't Blame On I", The fantastic "Much Smarter" by The Meditations, and Max Romeo's "Chase The Devil". With only a few highlights, there's nothing really amazing on Reel One, but of course we have only begun our trip to the heart of the Ark.

Reel Two contains most of the killers on Arkology and is therefore the strongest CD of the set. It's an amazing rhythm shower, showing how Perry was able to build many songs on the same foundation, each one being as strong as the last. The mix of familiar rhythms with new voices is truly wonderful. Killers include the amazing "Dreadlocks In Moonlight", Perry's restrained attack on hypocrites and weakhearts, Max Romeo's B-movie "Norman" featuring Jah Lion as a card shark, and the magnificent nine minute "Roots Train" by Junior Murvin and Dillinger. A marvelous version excursion of Junior Murvin's "Police & Thieves" dominates Reel Two: sax man Glen DaCosta's instrumental "Magic Touch" is followed by the terrific "Soldier & Police War" by Jah Lion and The Upsetters' echoing "Grumblin' Dub". Just when you thought the rhythm had been stretched out enough, Junior's heavy "Bad Weed" takes it one step further.

Reel Three is where the more esoteric selections on Arkology find a home, but is the weakest CD in the set. The first half is brilliant, with alternate cuts of Augustus Pablo's amazing "Vibrate On" and its dub companion "Vibrator". Other killers include a version of The Heptones' "Party Time" with Scratch himself doing some berserk DJ-ing over the rhythm, and an unreleased track from The Heptones' Party Time, "Make Up Your Mind". After these highlights, Reel Three sadly runs out of steam. What's left is music that should be well known to serious Perry fans, with the exception of Junior Byles' "Curly Locks" sung by Perry. What might have been a great grande finale, an alternate version of the mind altering "Roast Fish & Cornbread" and its dub is spoiled by the fact that these mixes lack the echo chamber at midnight vibe of the original. As Arkology concludes, however, there is no doubt that for the past four hours Perry has vindicated his cry of "rock it in the backyard".

BATTLE AXE - Various Artists
(CD: Trojan CDTBL167) 1969 - 1971

1. BATTLE AXE - The Upsetters • 2. A PLACE CALLED AFRICA - Junior Byles • 3. CHEERIO - The Upsetters • 4. PICTURE ON THE WALL - Ras Darkins • 5. COOL OPERATOR - Delroy Wilson • 6. KNOCK THREE TIMES - The Upsetters • 7. POP A POP - Andy Capp • 8. EARTHQUAKE - The Upsetters • 9. DON'T CROSS THE NATION - Mark & Luke • 10. DARK MOON - The Upsetters • 11. ROUGH & SMOOTH - The Upsetters • 12. GROOVE ME - The Upsetters • 13. EASY SNAPPING - The Upsetters • 14. I'M YOURS - Delroy Wilson

A pretty good collection made up of some of Perry's hits from the early 1970s and Booker T style Upsetters grooves. Most of the killers belong to The Upsetters: "Battle Axe" (the rhythm track to The Wailers' "Small Axe"), "Cheerio" (the rhythm track to Eric Donaldson's out of sight "Cherry Oh Baby"), and "Dark Moon" (a reggae version of "Blue Moon"). The sublime "A Place Called Africa" by Junior Byles is an added bonus.

BUILD THE ARK - The Upsetters & Friends
(CD: Trojan CDPRY3) 1972 - 1976

The track listing on the CD is inaccurate (taken from the original vinyl issue, it forgets that CD tracks are numbered!)

Disc One: 1. MY LITTLE SANDRA • 2. DUBBING SANDRA - Leo Graham / Upsetters • 3. FEELINGS • 4. FEELINGS VERSION - Sharon Isaacs / Upsetters • 5. LONG LONG TIME • 6. LONG TIME DUB - Winston Heywood / Upsetters • 7. A WAH DAT • 8. DUB DAT - Junior Dread / Upsetters • 9. WHITE BELLY RAT • 10. JUDAS DE WHITE BELLY RAT - Lee Perry / Upsetters • 11. WHITE BELLY RAT - Jah Lloyd • 12. FREEDOM STREET • 13. FREEDOM DUB - Eric Donaldson / Upsetters • 14. PEACE AND LOVE • 15. PEACE & DUB - Shaumark & Robinson / Upsetters • 16. LAND OF LOVE • 17. LAND OF DUB - Sons of Light / Upsetters

Disc Two: 1. THINK SO • 2. DUB SO - The Meditations / Upsetters • 3. CROSS OVER • 4. CROSS OVER DUB - Junior Murvin / Upsetters • 5. AT THE FEAST - The Congos • 6. TRAVELLING • 7. NYAMBIE DUB - Debra Keese & The Black Five / Upsetters • 8. ETHIOPIAN LAND • 9. LANDMARK DUB - Peter & Paul Lewis / Upsetters • 10. GREEN BAY INCIDENT • 11. GREEN BAY VERSION - Lord Sassafrass / Upsetters • 12. BROTHER NOAH • 13. NOAH DUB - The Shadows / Upsetters • 14. THANKS AND PRAISE • 15. DUB & PRAISE - Junior Ainsworth / Upsetters • 16. MR. MONEY MAN • 17. MONEY MAN DUB - Danny Hensworth / Upsetters

One of the most esoteric collections of Black Ark material, Build The Ark is for serious fans only, but what a collection! Many of these artists are nowhere else to be found in the Black Ark canon (some with good reason) and all of the songs include Upsetters versions and dubs, a great bonus. Killers include Eric Donaldson's soulful "Freedom Street" the always great Junior Murvin with the hypnotizing "Cross Over" and its amazing dub, Jah Lloyd's sharp "White Belly Rat", the wonderful "Land Of Love" by the mysterious Sons Of Light, and The Meditations' classic "Think So" (AKA "Much Smarter").

COMPLETE UK UPSETTER SINGLES COLLECTION VOL. 1 - Various Artists
(CD: Trojan CDTAL902Z) 1969

Disc One: 1. EIGHT FOR EIGHT - Lee Perry & The Upsetters • 2. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN - The Inspirations • 3. RETURN OF DJANGO - The Upsetters • 4. DOLLAR IN THE TEETH - The Upsetters • 5. GOOD FATHER - David Isaacs • 6. WHAT A SITUATION - Slim Smith • 7. TEN TO TWELVE - The Upsetters • 8. PEOPLE FUNNY FI TRUE - Lee Perry • 9. WHAT A PRICE - Busty Brown • 10. HOW CAN I FORGET - Busty Brown • 11. I'VE GOT MEMORIES - David Isaacs • 12. LEAVING ON A JET PLANE - David Isaacs • 13. MINI DRESS - Winston Jarrett • 14. MAD HOUSE - Lee Perry • 15. NIGHT DOCTOR - The Upsetters • 16. I'LL BE WAITING - The Termites • 17. TO LOVE SOMEBODY - Busty Brown • 18. FARMER'S IN THE DEN - The Bleechers • 19. KIDDYO - The Silvertones • 20. ENDLESSLY - The Silvertones • 21. MAN FROM MI5 - The Upsetters • 22. OH LORD - The West Indians • 23. HE'LL HAVE TO GO - David Isaacs • 24. SINCE YOU ARE GONE - David Isaacs • 25. MEDICAL OPERATION - The Upsetters

Disc Two: 1. BADAM BAM - The Ravers • 2. LIVE INJECTION - The Upsetters • 3. EVERYTHING FOR YOUR FUN - The Bleechers • 4. COME INTO MY PARLOUR - The Bleechers • 5. DRY UP YOUR TEARS - The Mellotones • 6. COLD SWEAT - The Upsetters • 7. POUND GET A BLOW - The Bleechers • 8. HELLO DOLLY - Pat Satchmo • 9. KING OF THE TROMBONE - Busty Brown • 10. THE VAMPIRE - The Upsetters • 11. CHECK HIM OUT - The Bleechers • 12. SOULFUL I - The Upsetters • 13. NO BREAD AND BUTTER - Milton Morris • 14. WHO TO TELL - Bruce Bennett • 15. I CAN'T SEE MYSELF CRY ABOUT YOU - Busty Brown • 16. THE DIRTY DOZEN - The Shadows • 17. CRYING TOO LONG - The Shadows • 18. STRANGER ON THE SHORE - Val Bennett • 19. DRUGS AND POISON - The Upsetters • 20. THE SAME THING THAT YOU GAVE TO DADDY - Nora Dean • 21. A TESTIMONY - The Upsetter Pilgrims • 22. THE SAME THINGS - The Gaylads • 23. I WEAR MY SLANDERS - The Gaylads • 24. YAKETY YAK - Lee Perry • 25. THE TACKRO - The Upsetters

An all killer, no filler collection gathering together some of the best shocks of mighty from the early days. Featuring detailed sleeve notes and loads of great music, this collection is a must. Killers include most of most of David Isaacs' tunes, especially "Leaving On A Jet Plane", everything from The Bleechers, Bruce Bennett's jiving "Who To Tell", Lee Perry's insane "Mad House" and all of the solid grooves from The Upsetters, especially the incredible "Live Injection" and "Eight For Eight".

DRY ACID - Various Artists
(CD: Trojan CDTRL398) 1968 - 1969

1. BEWARE OF THE VAMPIRE Denzil Laing • 2. BARBARA Val Bennett • 3. PRISON SENTENCE Upsetters • 4. NOT ME Ethiopians • 5. CUT DOWN Ethiopians • 6. UNCLE DESMOND - Mellotones • 7. DOWN IN THE PARK - Inspirations • 8. LOVE OH LOVE - Inspirations • 9. CAN'T GET NO PEACE Eric "Monty" Morris • 10. FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE - Upsetters • 11. STRANGE WHISPERINGS - West Indians • 12. A TASTE OF KILLING - Upsetters • 13. HARD TO HANDLE - Carl Dawkins • 14. MY MOB - Upsetters • 15. FREEDOM TRAIN - Ernest Wilson • 16. DARK END OF THE STREET - Pat Kelly • 17. SINCE YOU ARE GONE - Pat Kelly • 18. RETURN OF THE UGLY - Upsetters • 19. TILL I CAN'T - David Isaacs • 20. RIGHTFUL RULER - Peter Tosh & U Roy • 21. I CAUGHT YOU - Upsetters • 22. NEVER GET AWAY - Eric Donaldson • 23. A BROKEN HEART - Busty Brown • 24. DRY ACID - Count Sticky & Upsetters • 25. SELASSIE - Reggae Boys • 26. FACTS OF LIFE - Mellotones

A fantastic sequel to an earlier Trojan compilation, People Funny Boy (see below), Dry Acid gathers together deadlier Upsetter tunes from the early days. These were the cats that Perry had his first hits with, and the music rocks! Killers include the breakneck "For A Few Dollars More" and the groovy "Return Of The Ugly" by The Upsetters, Ernest Wilson's thumping "Freedom Train", and Denzel Laing's cautionary "Beware Of The Vampire".

EXPLOSIVE ROCK STEADY - Various Artists
(CD: Heartbeat CDHB72) 1967 - 1973 • Produced by Lee Perry & Joe Gibbs

1. PLEASE STOP YOUR LYING - Errol Dunkley • 2. ROCK A SHOCK - Lynn Taitt & The Jets • 3. I'M GONNA LET - The Mellotones • 4. I AM THE UPSETTER • 5. UPSETTING VERSION - Lee "King" Perry • 6. HOLD THEM - Roy Shirley • 7. LONG SHOT - The Pioneers • 8. LULU BELL - The Versatiles • 9. GIRL YOU RUFF - The Overtakers • 10. THE WICKED - Reggae Boys • 11. TRAIN TO SOULSVILLE - Cool Sticky • 12. TAKE BACK YOUR DUCK - The Inspirations • 13. MEMORIES - Amalgamated All Stars • 14. LOVE BROTHER - Errol Dunkley • 15. DOCTOR FEELGOOD - Sir Lord Comic • 16. DON'T TOUCH ME - Nicky Thomas • 17. BE GOOD - Roy Shirley • 18. RED EYE - Nicky Thomas & Delores

Perry worked uncredited for greenhorn producer Joe Gibbs (who at first was just the guy with the money), and this collection contains many of Perry's first records as a producer. Most interesting, it contains the first song to use a brand new rhythm that they would eventually call "reggae", The Pioneers' "Long Shot", which pre-dates The Maytals' "Do The Reggae" by a year. Therefore, the song is a good argument for those who claim that Lee Perry actually invented reggae... "I Am The Upsetter" is one of Perry's seminal songs, a "screw you" rant aimed at Coxsone Dodd after he allegedly ripped Perry off. It was a big hit for Gibbs, who ironically suffered Perry's wrath for the same reasons a year later with "People Funny Boy". The last killer tune on this album is The Inspirations' crazy "Take Back Your Duck", which is right up Perry's alley: it's actually about an unhappy customer asking for a refund at a whorehouse.

GIVE ME POWER - Lee Perry & Friends
(CD: Trojan CDTRL254) 1969 - 1973

The track listing is completely screwed up on this CD, so here's the real one, as far as I can tell:

1. SICK & TIRED - Neville Grant • 2. RASTA NO PICKPOCKET - Junior Byles • 3. DON'T CROSS THE NATION - Little Roy • 4. GIVE ME POWER - The Stingers • 5. GIVE ME POWER VERSION 2 - King Iwah • 6. NEWS FLASH - Leo Graham • 7. FLASHING ECHO - The Upsetters • 8. JUSTICE TO THE PEOPLE - Lee Perry • 9. JUSTICE TO THE PEOPLE VERSE 2 - Lee Perry • 10. BABYLON'S BURNING - Junior Byles • 11. BABYLON VERSION - The Upsetters • 12. THE THANKS WE GET - The Upsetters • 13. DIG YOUR GRAVE - The Upsetters • 14. PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE - Max Romeo • 15. MID EAST ROCK - Dillinger • 16. FORWARD UP - The Stingers • 17. HOT TIP - Prince Django • 18. TO BE A LOVER - Shenley Duffus

This is one of the coolest collections of Lee Perry's pre-Black Ark productions. All of the artists were some of the best in Perry's stable, even if not all of them are well known. Killers: Neville Grant's "Sick & Tired" (a later vocal version of the famous "Return Of Django"), Junior Byles' eloquently angry "Rasta No Pickpocket", Lee Perry's heavy duty "Justice To The People", and Shenley Duffus' "To Be A Lover" - cut years before the more famous George Faith version - a real gem.

LARKS FROM THE ARK - Various Artists
(CD: Nectar NTMCD511) 1976 - 1979

1. CONSCIOUS MAN - Jolly Brothers • 2. NUH FE RUN DOWN - Lee Perry • 3. FREEDOM - Lee Perry & Earl Sixteen • 4. BROTHERLY LOVE - Jolly Brothers • 5. GROOVY SITUATION - Keith Rowe • 6. THEM DON'T KNOW LOVE - Righteous Vibes • 7. RASTA FAR I - Leroy Sibbles • 8. FORWARD WITH LOVE - Mystic Eyes • 9. SUCH IS LIFE - Lord Creator • 10. ELAINE - Mystic Eyes • 11. DON'T BE AFRAID - George Faith • 12. COOL DOWN - Jolly Brothers • 13. SCHOOL GIRL DUB - Lee Perry & Mikey Dread • 14. I'VE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD - Bunny Scott • 15. FOUR & TWENTY DREADLOCK - Prodical • 16. WHAT'S THE USE - Bunny Scott • 17. AFRICAN FREEDOM - Brother Hood • 18. COLOUR - Jolly Brothers

A wonderful collection of Black Ark grooves from some lesser known artists, anchored around the themes of peace and love. Killers include an alternate version of Keith Rowe's "Groovy Situation", Lord Creator's terrific "Such Is Life", the great Leroy Sibbles' "Rasta Far I" and everything by the Jolly Brothers, especially "Brotherly Love".

LOST TREASURES OF THE ARK - Various Artists
(CD: Jet Star) 1969 - 1978

Disc One: 1. I KNOW A PLACE - Bob Marley • 2. I KNOW A DUB - Upsetters • 3. WHO COLT THE GAME - Bob Marley • 4. WHO COLT THE DUB - Upsetters • 5. SHOCKS ALMIGHTY (MIX 1) - Bob Marley & Lee Perry • 6. SHOCKS ALMIGHTY (MIX 2) - Bob Marley & Lee Perry • 7. SHOCKS ALMIGHTY (VOCAL/DUB MIX) - Bob Marley & Lee Perry • 8. MORE AXE - The Wailers • 9. MORE MORE AXE - The Wailers • 10. STAND BY ME - The Inspirations • 11. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN - The Inspirations • 12. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN (unreleased take) • 13. DJANGO SHOOTS FIRST - Lord Comic & Lee Perry

Disc Two: 1. DOLLAR IN THE TEETH - The Upsetters • 2. DOLLAR IN THE TEETH (TAKE 2) - The Upsetters • 3. BABY BABY (unreleased take) - Val Bennett • 4. BABY BABY - Val Bennett • 5. BARBARA - Val Bennett • 6. BEWARE OF THE PEPPER - Denzel Laing • 7. SKANKY CHICKEN - Dave Barker • 8. RUNAWAY CHILD - Dave Barker • 9. GLORY GLORY - Sister P & Full Experience • 10. GLORY GLORY DUB - The Upsetters • 11. SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL - Flying Sensations • 12. EARTH A GO WHEEL - The Upsetters • 13. COST OF LIVING - Keithis • 14. POOR MAN DUB - The Upsetters

Disc Three: 1. WEAK HEART A GO FEEL IT - Shaumark & Robinson • 2. PEACE AND LOVE - Shaumark & Robinson • 3. PEACE AND LOVE DUB - The Upsetters • 4. OPEN THE GATE - Watty Burnett • 5. OPEN THE GATE DUB - The Upsetters • 6. DOWN HERE IN BABYLON - Brent Dowe • 7. TAKE HEED - The Armageddeans • 8. GARDEN OF LIFE - Leroy Sibbles • 9. GARDEN OF DUB - The Upsetters • 10. A REAL VERSION - The Upsetters • 11. RAINY NIGHT IN PORTLAND - Watty Burnett • 12. BROTHER NOAH - Black Shadows • 13. BRING IT UP - The Soulettes • 14. CONNECTION - Dillinger

This wonderful mess of a collection is more or less a sawed off version of Arkology, and a lame attempt to capture some of that collection's glory. First things first: out of the 42 tracks, 18 have already been released on Trojan albums such as Prisoner Of Love, Dry Acid, and Build The Ark. At least 17 of the tracks are not Black Ark songs, and finally four tracks are duplicates from Jet Star's own Original Super Ape. The sleeve notes are incomprehensible, and the overall design is dreadful. That being said, if you can tolerate these crappy qualities, this collection contains a lot of good music. The real killers are the four Black Ark Bob Marley tracks and Val Bennett's rocking numbers; almost all the rest can be found elsewhere on more bonafide releases.

MUSICAL BONES
(CD: Justice League JLCD5002) 1972 - 1976

1. COCO MACCA • 2. FLY AWAY • 3. THE MESSAGE • 4. LICKY LICKY • 5. LABBRISH • 6. QUINGE UP • 7. RAW CHAW • 8. 5 CARDIFF CRESCENT • 9. FOUR OF A KIND • 10. VOODOO MAN • 11. NAH GO RUN • 12. IT MEK SOON • 13. BREDDA'S DUB • 14. MATCHES LANE AFFAIR • 15. A WISE DUB

A fine album, although it's more instrumental reggae than dub. According to the sleeve notes, Bones was originally released in 1975 and limited to only a few hundred copies. Trombone king Vin Gordon does great jazz riffs over various Black Ark rhythms, and once again it's fun to play "name that rhythm" with this album - "Coco Macca" is a funkier version of "Black IPA", "Fly Away" is a neat version of "Dub Organizer", and "A Wise Dub", is yet another version of The Gatherers' "Words Of My Mouth". Killer of killers is "Bredda's Dub", which is not so much a dub but an alternate version of "Brotherly Love" by the Jolly Brothers (one of my favorites).

OPEN THE GATE - Lee Perry & Friends
(CD: Trojan CDPRY2) 1974 - 1976

Disc One: 1. WORDS - Anthony Davis & Lee Perry • 2. VAMPIRE - Devon Irons & Doctor Alimantado • 3. BABYLON FALLING / VERSION - The Heptones / The Upsetters • 4. MISTRY BABYLON / VERSION - The Heptones / The Upsetters • 5. GARDEN OF LIFE - Leroy Sibbles • 6. HISTORY - Carlton Jackson • 7. SONS OF SLAVES - Junior Delgado • 8. OPEN THE GATE - Watty Burnett

Disc Two: 1. TALK ABOUT IT / YAMA-KY (DUB) - The Diamonds • 2. CHERRY OH BABY - Eric Donaldson • 3. RAINY NIGHT IN PORTLAND - Watty Burnett • 4. RUFFER RUFF / RUFFER DUB - Horace Smart / The Upsetters • 5. NICKODEEMUS - The Congos • 6. KNOW LOVE - The Twin Roots • 7. CITY TOO HOT • 8. BIONIC RATS - Lee Perry • 9. BAD WEED - Junior Murvin

In the bible, they blew horns and the walls of the city crumbled. Well, this set could crumble any walls and open any gate. Along with Arkology, this is the best collection of Lee Perry's Black Ark work available. Amazing, powerful, groovy, formidable, earth shaking. Most of the songs include dub versions, so they all range in length from 6 to 9 minutes! All of these songs are absolute killers - the ones too magnificent for words include The Heptones' apocalyptic "Babylon Falling", Eric Donaldson's Black Ark version of his big hit "Cherry Oh Baby", Lee's own "Bionic Rats", The Diamonds' wonderful "Talk About It", and Watty Burnett's thundering "Open The Gate" - if this song doesn't give you goose bumps, nothing will.

OUT OF MANY, THE UPSETTER - Various Artists
(CD: Trojan CDTRL297) 1970 - 1974

1. INTRODUCING MYSELF - Lee Perry • 2. SMALL AXE - The Wailers • 3. A PLACE CALLED AFRICA - Junior Byles • 4. A PLACE CALLED AFRICA (VERSION THREE) - Winston Prince • 5. DON'T ROCK MY BOAT - The Wailers • 6. FEELING IS RIGHT - Susan Cadogan • 7. BE THANKFUL - Bunny Clarke • 8. KUCHY SKANK - The Upsetters • 9. GARDEN OF LIFE - Leroy Sibbles • 10. KENTUCKY SKANK - The Upsetters • 11. REACTION - The Wailers • 12. PUBLIC JESTERING - Judge Winchester • 13. THE LONG WAY - Junior Byles • 14. MR. BROWN - The Wailers • 15. STICK TOGETHER - U Roy • 16. FREAK OUT SKANK - The Upsetters • 17. JUSTICE TO THE PEOPLE VERSE 2 - Lee Perry & The Upsetters • 18. TRAVELLING - Debra Keese & The Black Five

A solid collection, gathered from other Lee Perry / Upsetters compilations on Trojan. Killers include the heavy duty "Justice To The People", Junior Byles' masterpiece "A Place Called Africa", Perry's zany ode to KFC, "Kentucky Skank", and three of the best Wailers tracks from the Lee Perry sessions, including the most startling, "Mr. Brown".

PEOPLE FUNNY BOY - Various Artists
(CD: Trojan TRCD339) 1968 - 1970

1. HONEY LOVE • 2. EVOL YENOH - Burt Walters • 3. POPEYE - Val Bennett • 4. NONESUCH BUSTED ME BET - The Mellotones • 5. HANDY CAP - The Upsetters • 6. PEOPLE FUNNY BOY - Lee Perry • 7. BLOWING IN THE WIND - Burt Walters • 8. SPANISH HARLEM - Val Bennett • 9. UNCLE CHARLIE - The Mellotones • 10. TIGHTEN UP - The Inspirations • 11. A PLACE IN THE SUN - David Isaacs • 12. WHAT A BOTHERATION - The Mellotones • 13. RETURN OF DJANGO - The Upsetters • 14. SENTENCE - Danny & Lee 15. YOU CRUMMY - Lee Perry • 16. BABY BABY - Val Bennett • 17. FARMERS IN THE DEN - The Bleechers • 18. STAND BY ME - The Inspirations • 19. WHAT A BOTHERATION - Lee Perry • 20. WHAT A SITUATION - Slim Smith

A solid collection of early Lee Perry productions, including both rarities and big hits, and proves that not everything he produced glows in the dark. Killers include the breakneck title track, the groovy "Tighten Up" by The Inspirations (actually The Untouchables), the steel drum skank of "Handy Cap", and the blazing saxaphone of jazz king Val Bennett on "Return Of Django". It also contains one of the wildest Perry productions ever, "Evol Yenoh", which is "Honey Love" with the vocals run backwards for a truly freakish three minutes.

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY THE UPSETTER - Various Artists
(CD: Pressure Sounds/On U Sound PSCD19)

1. I MAN FREE - King Burnett • 2. FREE MAN - Upsetters • 3. ZION - The Flames • 4. ZION DUB - Upsetters • 5. BIKE NO LICENCE - Easton Clarke • 6. UNLICENCED DUB - Upsetters • 7. CRYING OVER YOU - The Heptones • 8. CRYING DUB - Upsetters • 9. FINANCIAL CRISIS - The Silvertones • 10. FINANCIAL DUB - Upsetters • 11. FALSE TEACHINGS - Junior Murvin • 12. TEACHER'S DUB - Upsetters • 13. BACKBITING - Winston Heywood & The Hombres • 14. CHASTISING DUB - Upsetters • 15. HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT - The Meditations • 16. DUB OF PARLIAMENT - Upsetters • 17. GUIDE LINE - George Faith • 18. DUB LINE - Upsetters • 19. PHILISTINES ON THE LAND - Junior Murvin • 20. BINGO KID - Earl "Chinna" Smith

A fantastic collection of Black Ark singles and their dubs, a heavy sequel to Pressure Sounds' excellent Voodooism (see below). This is the way Scratch's work should be preserved! Killers include Easton Clarke's sad tale of big neck police in "Bike No Licence", the heavy "Guide Line" by George Faith, and Junior Murvin's "Philistines On The Land" delivered over the famous "Police & Thieves" rhythm.

PUBLIC JESTERING - Lee Perry & Friends
(CD: Attack CDAT108) 1972 - 1976

1. PUBLIC JESTERING - Judge Winchester • 2. I'M A DREAD LOCKS • 3. DREAD LOCKS VERSION - The Upsetters • 4. STAY DREAD - Lee Perry • 5. KINGDOM OF DUB - The Upsetters • 6. BABYLON DEH PON FIRE • 7. JUNGLE FEVER - Truth Fact & Correct • 8. HYPOCRITES • 9. NINE FINGER JERRY LEWIS - Jimmy & Glen • 10. BLACK CANDLE - Leo Graham • 11. BAD LAMP - The Upsetters • 12. DOCTOR DEMAND - Leo Graham • 13. BLACK BAT - The Upsetters • 14. BIG TONGUE BUSTER - Leo Graham • 15. BUS A DUB - The Upsetters • 16. HERB VENDOR - Horse Mouth • 17. PENNY REEL - Prince Jazzbo

Another solid collection, one of the best you can get, featuring gravelly voices on top of Upsetter rhythms that alternate between deadly ("Public Jestering") and silly ("I'm A Dread Locks", which is a version of "Three Blind Mice"!). Killers include "Public Jestering", in which Lee Perry gets put on trial, the hilarious "I'm A Dread Locks", in which Perry heaps abuse on a false Rasta ("Shut up and get out of my studio! Dreadlocks? You mean dead locks!"), and the rocking "Hypocrites".

RASTAFARI LIVETH IN THE HEARTS OF EVERYONE ITINUALLY - Various Artists
(CD: Justice League JLLCD5001) 1974 - 1979

1. ETHIOPIAN LAND - Peter & Paul Lewis • 2. DUB LAND - The Upsetters • 3. RISE & SHINE - Watty & Tony • 4. SHINING DUB - The Upsetters • 5. WHAT A WAR - Watty Burnett • 6. WHAT A DUB - The Upsetters • 7. 23RD PSALM - Junior Delgado & Big Youth • 8. JUDGEMENT DAY - Clive Hylton • 9. WELL JUDGED DUB - The Upsetters • 10. FORWARD WITH JAH ORTHODOX - Mystic • 11. ORTHODOX DUB - The Upsetters • 12. COME ALONG - The Bluebells • 13. DUB ALONG - The Upsetters • 14. 4 AND 20 DREADLOCKS - Evan Jones • 15. DREADLOCKS DUB - The Upsetters • 16. WHEN JAH COMES - Devon Irons • 17. WHEN JAH DUBS - The Upsetters

Another very esoteric collection, with heavy Rasta vibes followed by their dub companions. Most if not all of these tracks cannot be found anywhere else, making this a valuable collection. Devon Irons' "When Jah Comes" is a killer.

REGGAE GREATS: LEE PERRY - Various Artists
(CD: Island/Mango ISLCD9792) 1976 - 1979

1. PARTY TIME - The Heptones • 2. POLICE & THIEVES - Junior Murvin • 3. GROOVY SITUATION - Keith Rowe • 4. SOUL FIRE - Lee Perry • 5. WAR IN A BABYLON - Max Romeo • 6. WISDOM - Jah Lion • 7. TO BE A LOVER - George Faith • 8. ROAST FISH & CORNBREAD - Lee Perry • 9. CROAKING LIZARD - Prince Jazzbo • 10. DREADLOCKS IN MOONLIGHT - Lee Perry

Part of the wonderful Reggae Greats series from Mango, this is a small but tasty slice of the Lee Perry pie. Certainly not as adventurous as most other collections, but it does include killers like the ganja soaked "Roast Fish & Cornbread", Jah Lion's excellent "Wisdom" and one of my favorites, Perry's "Dreadlocks In Moonlight".

SCRATCH ATTACK! - Various Artists
(CD: RAS CTCD1415) 1970 - 1976

1. SCRATCH THE DUB ORGANIZER - Upsetters • 2. WHO YOU GONNA RUN TO - Johnny Lover • 3. TIGHTEN UP - The Untouchables • 4. A SERIOUS JOKE - Val Bennett • 5. LITTLE FLUTE CHANT - Upsetters • 6. WHEN JAH COME - Devon Irons • 7. SCRATCH WALKING - Upsetters • 8. COME ALONG - Upsetters • 9. BUSH WEED CORN TRASH -Ricky & Bunny • 10. CURLEY DUB - Upsetters • 11. BLACKBOARD JUNGLE DUB - Upsetters • 12. RUBBA RUBBA WORDS - Prince Jazzbo • 13. CLOAK & DAGGER - Johnny Lover • 14. DUB FROM AFRICA - Upsetters • 15. DREAMLAND DUB - Upsetters • 16. POP GOES THE DREAD DUB - Upsetters • 17. FEVER GRASS DUB - Upsetters • 18. SINSEMILLIA KAYA DUB - Wailers/Upsetters • 19. MOVING FORWARD - Wailers/Upsetters • 20. BLACKBOARD JUNGLE DUB 2 - Upsetters • 21. KASHA MACKA DUB - Upsetters • 22. SETTA IRATION DUB - Upsetters

Another excellent collection of Perry produced music, made up of work from the early 1970s and into the Black Ark era. Unfortunately, all of the tracks are simply credited to Perry, which isn't correct (the actual artists are listed above). This CD is a combo of two old LPs, Scratch & Company and Blackboard Jungle Dub. All of the dubs are big, bad killers, especially "Scratch The Dub Organizer", "Blackboard Jungle", and "Cloak & Dagger". "Moving Forward" and "Sinsemillia Kaya Dub" are dub versions of Bob Marley's "Keep On Moving" and "Kaya".

SHOCKS OF MIGHTY - Lee Perry & Friends
(CD: Attack CDAT104) 1969 - 1974

Tracks 4 and 5 are reversed on the sleeve notes.

1. POUND GET A BLOW - The Upsetters • 2. NO BREAD AND BUTTER - Milton Morris • 3. THE TACKRO - The Upsetters • 4. SHOCKS OF MIGHTY • 5. SET ME FREE - Dave Barker • 6. DARK MOON - The Upsetters • 7. CIVILIZATION - The Classics • 8. FRENCH CONNECTION CHAPTER 2 - The Upsetters • 9. BLACK MAN'S TIME - Neville Grant • 10. THREE BLIND MICE - Leo Graham • 11. THREE TIMES THREE - King Tubby & The Upsetters • 12. BE THANKFUL - Bunny Clarke • 13. DUBBING IN THE BACK SEAT - The Upsetters • 14. WOMAN'S GOTTA HAVE IT - Jimmy Riley • 15. GOTTA HAVE DUB - The Upsetters • 16. MOVE OUT OF MY WAY - Bunny Clarke • 17. MOVE OUT DUB - The Upsetters

This makes a really good companion piece to Give Me Power (see above), but the songs aren't as terrific. Killers include The Upsetters' "Dark Moon", which is a marvelous Tommy McCook version of the classic "Blue Moon", "The Tackro", one of the weirdest Upsetter tunes ever, and Milton Henry's "No Bread & Butter". Between tracks 10 - 17, every other song is a dub version of the previous tune.

UPSETTER IN DUB - Various Artists
(CD: Heartbeat CDHB77) 1974 - 1979

1. NOAH SUGAR PAN • 2. KETCH A DUB • 3. VERSION TRAIN • 4. ROOTICALLY DUB • 5. SONS OF THE BLACK ARK • 6. LORNA SKANK • 7. IF THE CAP FITS • 8. DUB A COME • 9. TEDIOUS DUB • 10. REJOICE IN SKANK • 11. BABYLON THIEF DUB • 12. FOUNDATION SOLID • 13. BAGMAN • 14. BETTER REACH • 15. DUB IN TIME • 16. FUN AND GAMES • 17. SIPPLE DUB • 18. BIONIC RAT DUB

A solid collection of Black Ark dubs, made up of rhythms used by Junior Murvin, The Congos, Max Romeo, Junior Byles, et al. As far as dub collections go, this is a good - but not great - album. The trademark midnight swirl Black Ark sound is irresistible as always, and when it's good, it really rocks, especially the soulful Junior Murvin dubs: "Version Train" ("Roots Train") and "Babylon Thief Dub" (the great "Police & Thieves"). Other killers include the previously unreleased "Rootically Dub" and Max Romeo's "Sipple Dub" ("War In A Babylon").

VOODOOISM - Various Artists
(CD: Pressure Sounds/On U Sound PSCD009) 1976 - 1979

1. PSALMS 20 - James Booms • 2. PROVERBS OF DUB - The Upsetters • 3. BETTER FUTURE - Errol Walker • 4. FUTURE DUB - The Upsetters • 5. RIVER • 6. RIVER STONE - Zap Pow • 7. FREEDOM - Earl Sixteen • 8. RIGHT YOU - The Upsetters • 9. MASH DOWN - Roots • 10. AFRICA - The Hombres • 11. FOUNDATION DUB - The Upsetters • 12. VOODOOISM - Leo Graham • 13. DUBISM - The Upsetters • 14. AFRICAN STYLE - The Black Notes • 15. AFRICAN STYLE VERSION - The Upsetters • 16. RASTA TRAIN • 17. YAGGA YAGGA - Lee & Jimmy (actually "Many A Call" by The Unforgettables) • 18. RISE AND SHINE - Watty & Tony • 19. WOLF OUT DEH - Lloyd & Devon • 20. SHEPHERD ROD - The Upsetters

Perry literally blows the title of this album from his mouth (along with a big cloud of ganja smoke) on the front cover - appropriate for this excellent collection of Scratch produced rarities and heavy dubs. It's an album for serious collectors, as many of the artists haven't been anthologized anywhere else, and apparently Scratch himself helped to choose the tracks. Killers include the psychedelic "River" by Zap Pow, the funky "Rasta Train"by Lee & Jimmy, Lloyd & and Devon's "Wolf Out Deh". The missing killer is the high volume "Yagga Yagga", which is actually a dub of "Many A Call" by The Unforgettables.

WIZDOM - Various Artists
(CD: Ascension ANCD001) 1971 - 1975

1. OUR MAN FLINT - Lloyd Young & Augustus Pablo • 2. PI A RING - The Groovers • 3. DUB THE PUM PUM - The Silvertones • 4. KILL THE MUSIC - The Upsyndicates • 5. ENSOME CITY SKANK - Young Dillinger • 6. BOLOMAN SKANK - Young Dillinger • 7. YOU CAN RUN - The Hurricanes • 8. CANE RIVER ROCK - Dillinger & The Upsetters • 9. ROCKY RIVER - The Upsetters • 10. TIGHTEN UP SKANK - Dillinger & The Upsetters • 11. JAH RASTAFARI - Dennis Alcapone • 12. DOCTOR WHO - I Roy • 13. DOCTOR VERSION - I Roy • 14. BHUTTO GIRL - The Inspirations • 15. BHUTTO VERSION - The Upsetters • 16. SKA BABY - Bobby Ellis & The Upsetters • 17. SKA VERSION - The Upsetters • 18. KUNG FU PART 1 - Jah Martin & The Upsetters • 19. KUNG FU PART 2 - Lee Perry & The Upsetters

Man, it doesn't get any rarer than this! Wizdom is an excellent collection of rare 7" singles and their B-sides, featuring songs and artists that you can't find anywhere else. For serious Scratch fans, this will fill many gaps in your collection, as it contains obscure versions of better known songs. Killers (there are so many) include The Hurricanes' menacing "You Can Run", the amazing "Cane River Rock", Dennis Alcapone's "Jah Rastafari" (toasted over Dave Barker's dynamite "Prisoner Of Love"), and I Roy's crazy cool "Doctor Who" and "Doctor Version", both delivered over The Upsetters' magic "Medical Operation".

WORDS OF MY MOUTH - Various Artists
(CD: Trojan CDTRL374) 1973 - 1975

1. WORDS OF MY MOUTH - The Gatherers • 2. WORDS OF MY MOUTH (VERSION) - The Upsetters • 3. KUCHY SKANK - The Upsetters • 4. REJOICE IN JAH JAH CHILDREN - The Silvertones • 5. REJOICING SKANK - The Upsetters • 6. BUSH WEED CORN TRASH - Bunny & Ricky • 7. CALLYING BUTT - The Upsetters • 8. DA BA BAY - The Upsetters • 9. KISS ME NECK - The Upsetters • 10. CURLY LOCKS - Junior Byles • 11. DREADER LOCKS - Lee & Junior • 12. MANY A CALL - The Unforgettables • 13. TOO BAD BULL - Bunny & Ricky • 14. TOO BAD COW - The Upsetters • 15. FISTS OF FURY - Lee Perry • 16. HERB VENDOR - Horse Mouth • 17. CANE RIVER ROCK - Lee Perry & The Upsetters • 18. RIVERSIDE ROCK - The Upsetters • 19. STAY DREAD - Lee Perry • 20. KENTUCKY SKANK - Lee Perry • 21. BATHROOM SKANK - Lee Perry • 22. SPIRITUAL WHIP - Jah Lloyd

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