Lee 'Scratch' Perry in action at Western Consciousness 2K6.
IF FANS at the recent Western Consciousness show in Westmoreland
expected the indifferent from Lee 'Scratch' Perry, then they were not surprised.
The legendary producer, who is known more as a performer these days, was reportedly at his incoherent best at the annual roots show. Perry seemingly revels in his role as 'The madman of Reggae' though some in the know say he plays the fool to maintain a cult audience that stretches from California to Cairo.
If that is the case it is a pity, because few in the annals of Jamaican culture can match the legacy of the man they call Scratch.
Rainford Hugh Perry (his given name) is the only survivor of a troika of local producers that gave Jamaican music an international profile during the 1960s and 1970s. The others being Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd and Arthur 'Duke' Reid.
DANCE MUSIC
The Hanover-born Perry worked with both men who were known for making dance music at their Studio One and Channel One studios. Perry went a step further by putting a cutting-edge to this country's popular music. It doesn't get any edgier than Small Axe, Soul Rebel or Duppy Conqueror, three of The Wailers' best songs done for Perry's Upsetters label. Of course, the Scratch catalogue also includes Junior Byles' Curly Locks, Max Romeo's War Ina Babylon and Police And Thieves by Junior Murvin.
"He was a better producer than 'Coxsone' or 'Duke' Reid because he was always in the studio when the songs were put together," said bass player Boris Gardner, who worked with the three producers. "People like 'Coxsone' and Reid would just hear the songs and tell you if they liked it or not."
Despite Perry's eccentricities, many leading and aspiring performers went to his legendary Black Ark studio in Washington Gardens and benefited from his expert touch. Before he joined Third World, singer Bunny Rugs did a stint with Perry, as did radio disc jockey/singer Michael 'Mikey Dread' Campbell.
The Perry mystique also fascinated British acts like The Clash and Robert Palmer who both travelled to Jamaica to work with him in the 1970s. Perry's mad man status took off in 1979 when the Ark was destroyed by fire. Its diminutive owner was arrested on suspicion of arson but once he was released by police, he headed to Europe where he has lived since.
In 2002, at the age of 66, Perry won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album with Jamaican E.T., a shadow of his best work. He continues to tour the world, playing to enthusiastic audiences and breaking new ground which has always been his forte.
Itching for Scratch: the best of Lee Perry
(1) Soul Rebel - - The Wailers
(2) Small Axe - The Wailers
(3) Duppy Conqueror - The Wailers
(4) Curly Locks - Junior Byles
(5) A Place Called Africa - Junior Byles
(6) War Ina Babylon - Max Romeo
(7) Police And Thieves - Junior Murvin
(8) Row Fisherman - The Congos
(9) Punky Reggae Party - Bob Marley and The Wailers
Howard Campbell
