Live in Infinity Lee Perry.
One of the most influential musicians in the world, Lee "Scratch" Perry has died in a Jamaican hospital on August 29th, he was 85 years old. But like most legends, the music lives on and only gets stronger once the transition is made.
For a while, Scratchy Perry was off my radar, until I heard this track below titled Pum Pum.
When I first saw this song I was like "yo, this guy is still making songs in his 70's? And not just any song, a song about Pum pum. This brought Lee Perry back on my radar. I started listening to his songs and the thing that stood out to me was the simplicity of his lyrics and delivery as he got older. Almost all his songs sound like a freestyle and that many of them are.
Lee Scratch Perry was like an alien from outer space and the way he dressed and philosophized was like no other.
Lee scratch Perry wasn't just a recording artiste, he started as a hire for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd who was head of the studio one label. He started as an assistant, then a talent scout, DJ, store manager and then became a recording artiste. He gained the name Scratch from an earlier recording called Chicken Scratch.
Lee and clement Cox went their separate ways due to clash of characters and money issues, he later found a home at Joe Gibbs's Amalgamated Records. But that did not last long. A man like Perry needed his own ship to sail. He then started Upsetter Records in 1968 to 1972 and had an in studio band of the same name, the Upsetters. It is said he released some very popular songs in the 70s in Jamaica and England under various record labels which he controlled.
Lee pioneered Roots Reggae as well as Dub and influences musicians to this day. He played an integral part in helping Bob Marley and the Wailers find their sound. Lee even said "I gave Bob Marley Reggae as a Gift".
Perry was a pioneer in the 1970s development of dub music with his early adoption of remixing and studio effects to create new instrumental or vocal versions of existing reggae tracks.[4] He worked with and produced for a wide variety of artists, including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin, The Congos, Max Romeo, Adrian Sherwood, Beastie Boys, Ari Up, The Clash, The Orb, and many others.
source:Wiki
Below are two of wailer's recordings with Lee Perry.
Try Me
Mr. Brown
In 1970, Perry produced and released the Wailers track "Mr. Brown" (1970) with its unusual use of studio effects and eerie opening highlighting his unique approach to production.
*There is much more to his story, from the burning down of his Black Ark studio in 1978 for which he confessed he did due to the premises being filled with negative spirits and vibes > to his Grammy award winning album "Jamaican E.T." > the numerous collaborations with acts globally and the tours > and his relocation to Switzerland with this wife and he had two kids > modeling for Gucci and Adidas and so much more. His life was one well lived.
On further dive it seems Perry wanted to come back to Jamaica sooner and was getting tired of the cold weather in Switzerland and lockdowns taking place in the world which prevented him from travelling freely.
It is too cold and the energy is not right.
Source: Dancehall Mag
While we have not heard how Lee Perry died, it seems he was able to rest in peace in the land of his birth. To infinity and eternity through the music you transcend. Bless Up Lee Scratch Perry, Nuff Respect.
Lee Perry Rare Dubs 1971-1974
Photos taken at One Love Jamaica Festival 2019
ReggaeJAHM.com
Legend doesn't begin to describe him.
R.I.P.!
For real! Dude was literally out of this world, there will never be another like him.
Another legend gone. R.I.P Scratch
Is mek be music a guh get popular. Music lives on.
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Much appreciated ! Thank you for the support! Bless up!
Good one here
Thanks 🙏
Reading through your post the man
Strike me as a legend, may his soul continue to rest in perfect peace.
Wow, what a fabulous post, such an archive to enjoy!
I knew of the connection with Bob Marley but very little else, I never realised the connection with the Upsetters. I saw in the press that he had died. Thank you for pulling all this together.
Thank you! I tried to make it substantial but not too long as I know many Hivers don't like to read 😄.
His is a catalogue I need to study as his sounds and willingness to take risk with the music are like no other. I heard the Upsetters were quite popular in England and Perry collaborated with a lot of acts there.
They were popular - Return of Django was one of the first records I bought, it was no 5 in the charts! I'm with you, I need to investigate the back catalogue. I'm thinking I might go to a music appreciation course to get a better understanding of why some records are so good. I was reading about diminished chords yesterday and how they create edginess and tension in a song - I never knew!
The "Band in Heaven" has gained another member. I am sure they will have a great jam session.
It is sad to hear that another great musician has left us. R.I.P.
R.I.P. Lee "Scratch" Perry! Nice post mi Bredda!
I still saw him live in 2015 on the 7 Mile Beach/Bourbon Beach...he ran around like a mad professor on stage, and most of the youth didn't even know who he was...😅
Lee "Scratch" Perry has died in a Jamaican hospital on August 29th, he was 85 years old.
Just don't tell me that he got the Covid Shot/Jab..."they" already killed DMX & Box World Champion Marvin Hagler...
Wah! I never got to see him perform live! Hahaha , young people never know him? They will now.
I really hope it’s not Covid or the Juk but nah, Lee Perry lived a good life!
The young crowd there at Bourbon Beach, they didn't know a legend pon stage...i was the only one like...wow...scratch perry, even though he got introduced proper...but it was just a spontaneous little performance, no real gig...
May he soar high and rest in peace.
He really lived life to the fullest I imagine reading all of this.
He truly did. Now news coming out from his wife that his death was caused by the people at the medical facility but didn’t give much details. We shall hear more in the days ahead.