- (This page covers both Jamaican record producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, aka the Upsetter, and his studio band, the Upsetters. For the backing band of Little Richard, see Upsetters(2).)
"The Kenny Dalglish of reggae"
(Peel bestows the ultimate superlative, 14 February 1979)
Lee Perry - Croaking Lizard
Lee "Scratch" Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry, 20 March 1936, Kendal, Jamaica) is a musician and producer who has been influential in the development and acceptance of reggae and dub music in Jamaica and overseas. He employs numerous pseudonyms, including Pipecock Jackxon and The Upsetter.
In the early 1970s Lee Scratch Perry was one of the producers whose mixing board experiments resulted in the creation of dub. In 1973, Perry built a studio in his back yard, The Black Ark, to have more control over his productions and continued to produce notable musicians such as Bob Marley & the Wailers, Junior Byles, Junior Murvin, the Heptones, The Congos and Max Romeo. With his own studio at his disposal, Perry's productions became more lavish, as the energetic producer was able to spend as much time as he wanted on the music he produced. Virtually everything Perry recorded in The Black Ark was done using basic recording equipment; through sonic sleight-of-hand, Perry made it sound unique. Perry remained behind the mixing desk for many years, producing songs and albums that stand out as a high point in reggae history. By 1978, stress and unwanted outside influences began to take their toll: both Perry and The Black Ark quickly fell into a state of disrepair. Eventually, the studio burned to the ground. Perry has constantly insisted that he burned the Black Ark himself in a fit of rage … (read more at Wikipedia)
Links to Peel
Peel was a huge fan of Perry and played his records consistently down the decades, selecting 'Croaking Lizard' from the landmark 'Super Ape' album for the 1976 Peelenium. After the DJ's death, five Perry-produced singles were found in John Peel's Record Box.
Festive Fifty Entries
- None
Sessions
- None
Peelenium
- Peelenium 1976: Croaking Lizard
John Peel's Record Box
Peel's box of 142 favourite singles featured five produced by Perry.
Lee Scratch Perry - Baffling Smoke Signal
Lee Scratch Perry - Bafflin' Smoke Signal
- Upsetters: Bucky Skank / Yucky Skank (Down Town) 1973
- Upsetters: Key Card / Domino Game (DL International) 1975
- Versalites / Lee Perry & The Upsetters: Cutting Razor / Black Belt Jones (DL International) 1974
- Lee Perry: Bafflin' Smoke Signal / Black Smoke Signal (Black Ark) 1978
- Max Romeo: Sipple Out Deh' /Revelation (Upsetter) 1976
Shows Played
(The list below, compiled from the database of this site, features only releases issued under Lee Perry's own name, aliases such as "Scratch" or the "Upsetter", or credited to his backing band, the Upsetters, and excludes Perry's production work with other artists. For such details, please search under the name of the individual artist. Please add more information if known.)
- 1973
- 08 May 1973: Sunshine Showdown (single) Downtown
- 19 July 1973: Bucky Skank (7" single) Downtown
- 1978
- 03 August 1978: The Lion (LP - Return Of The Super Ape) Lion Of Judah
- 18 August 1978: Bird In Hand (LP - Return Of Super Ape) Lion Of Judah
- 21 August 1978: Return Of The Super Ape (LP - Return Of Super Ape) Lion Of Judah
- 29 August 1978: Congo Dub (b-side of double single Row Fisherman by Congos) Upsetter
- 31 August 1978: Congo Dub (b-side of double single Row Fisherman by Congos) Upsetter (also known as Fisher Man Dub by Lee Perry)
- 13 September 1978: Free Up The Prisoners (12"-Free The Prisoners) Trojan
- 02 November 1978: Bafflin’ Smoke Signal (7”) Black Ark
- 02 November 1978: Dub Line (7” – Guide Line) Black Ark
- 27 November 1978: 'Home Guard Dub (7"-Home Guard (Michael Campbell))' (Upsetters)
- 1979
- 09 January 1979: Home Guard Dub (Single) Upsetters
- 16 January 1979: Dub Money (7” – Mr Money Man) Upsetter
- 29 January 1979: Captive Dub (Single) Upsetter
- 14 February 1979: Captive (Single) Upsetter (JP: "The Kenny Dalglish of Reggae")
- 26 March 1979: Cow Thief Skank (7") Upsetter
- 21 May 1979: Return Of The Super Ape (album - Return Of The Super Ape) Lion Of Judah
- 04 June 1979: Soul Fire
- 19 July 1979: Captive (Single) Upsetter
- 30 July 1979: City Too Hot (12")
- 30 August 1979: Bafflin' Smoke Signals (7") Black Ark
- 03 September 1979: Roast Duck (7") Ska Beat
- 13 September 1979: Trial And Crosses(7") Ska Beat
- 1980
- 09 January 1980: Keep On Skanking (v/a album - Creation Rockers Volume 1) Trojan TRLS 180
- 09 January 1980 (BFBS): Keep On Skanking (v/a album - Creation Rockers Volume 1) Trojan TRLS 180
- 24 January 1980: Bafflin' Smoke Signal (12") Black Art
- 07 February 1980: Cane River Rock (12") Black Art
- 17 June 1980: Return Of Django (7”) Upsetter
- 19 June 1980: Captive (7”) Black Ark
- 30 June 1980: Bed Jammin' (LP - The Return Of Pipecock Jackson) Black Star
- 01 July 1980: Easy Knocking (LP - The Return Of Pipecock Jackxon) Black Star Liner
- 27 August 1980: A Live Injection (7”) Upsetter
- 02 September 1980: Brad Draw (7” – Bushweed Corntrash) Clocktower
- 23 September 1980: Just Keep It Up
- 1981
- 28 April 1981: unknown (LP - unknown)
- 12 May 1981: Kill Them All (LP-The Upsetter Collection) Trojan
- 25 May 1981: French Connection (album - The Upsetter Collection) Trojan TRLS 195
- 22 September 1981: Soul Fire (album - Roast Fish, Collie Weed, & Corn Bread) Upsetter / Lion Of Judah LPIR 0000
- 24 September 1981 (BFBS): War Ina Babylon (LP - War Ina Babylon) Island
1982
- 08 March 1982: Dread Lion (album - Scratch The Super Ape) Upsetter
- 07 August 1982: Return of the Super Ape
- 07 September 1982: unknown
- 02 December 1982: Eight For Eight (7") Upsetter
- 1983
- 16 March 1983 (BFBS): Night Doctor
- 23 March 1983: Time Marches On
- 11 April 1983: Conscious Man Dub (album - Megaton Dub) Seven Leaves SLLP 2
- 17 April 1983 (BFBS): Conscious Man Dub (album - Megaton Dub) Seven Leaves SLLP 2
- 17 April 1983 (BFBS): Megaton Dub (album - Megaton Dub) Seven Leaves SLLP 2
- 12 June 1983 (BFBS): Evil Tongues (album - Roast Fish, Collie Weed, & Corn Bread) Upsetter / Lion Of Judah LPIR 0000
- 31 July 1983 (BFBS) (with Agustas Pablo): Vibrate Onn (7") Black Art
- Stewart Tape Oct 1983: Favourite Dish (album - Roast Fish, Collie Weed, & Corn Bread) Upsetter / Lion Of Judah LPIR 0000
1984
- 25 January 1984: Dry Acid (split 7" with Reggae Boys - (Dry Acid / Selassie) Punch PH 19
- 21 June 1984: Clint Eastwood
- 05 December 1984: Mr. Music
- 1985
- 17 August 1987 (& Dub Syndicate): Blinkers (LP-Time Boom X De Devil Dead) On-U Sound
- 08 September 1987 (with Dub Syndicate): Jungle (Disco Plate) (10” single) EMI
- 20 November 1985: Surplus (album - The Upsetter Box Set) Trojan
1986
- 28 January 1986: Waap You Waa (v/a 3 x LP - The Upsetter Box Set) Trojan
- 22 April 1986: Patience Dub (LP - Scratch The Super Ape) Upsetter
- 24 June 1986: Introducing Myself [LP - Battle Of Armagideon (Millionaire Liquidator)] Trojan
- 1987
- 03 March 1987: Bafflin' Smoke Signal (7") Black Art
- 04 May 1987: De Devil Dead (LP - Time Boom X De Devil Dead) On-U Sound
- 29 June 1987: Time Conquer (LP - Time Boom X De Devil Dead) On-U Sound
- 29 July 1987 (with the Flying Vicars & Sir Freddy Viaduct): Scratch On The Wire (LP - Bugs On The Wire) Leghorn
1988
- 10 February 1988: Cold Sweat
- Peel August September 1988 Lee Tape 17: Kimble (v/a album - The Reggae Train 1968 - 1971) Trojan TRLS 261 What a great record
- 15 November 1988 (And Dub Syndicate): Train To Doomsville (v/a compilation album - Pay It All Back Volume 2) On-U Sound ON-U LP 42
- 1989
- 16 January 1989 (And Dub Syndicate): Train To Doomsville (v/a compilation album - Pay It All Back Volume 2) On-U Sound
- 08 February 1989: Roast Fish & Cornbread (LP - Roast Fish, Collie Weed & Corn Bread) Upsetter
- 1990
- 04 January 1990 (with Mad Professor): Pirates (Black Plastic) (album - Mystic Warrior) Ariwa ARILP05
- 27 March 1990: For A Few Dollars More
- 28 March 1990: Double Wine (v/a LP - Version Like Rain) Trojan
- 04 April 1990: Influenza Version (v/a with Upsetters album - Version Like Rain) Trojan
- 12 April 1990: Outformer Version (v/a with Upsetters album - Version Like Rain) Trojan TRLS 278
- 24 April 1990: Iron Wolf (v/a with Upsetters album - Version Like Rain) Trojan TRLS 278
- 14 May 1990: Labrish (split 7" with Bob Marley & The Wailers - Mr. Chatterbox / Labrish) Jackpot JPR 7008 (as Scratch & Striker)
- 22 May 1990: White Belly Rat (v/a album - The Upsetters With Lee Perry And Friends - Build The Ark) Trojan PERRY 3
- 25 June 1990: I'm A Dread Locks (v/a album - Public Jestering) Attack ATLP 108
- 27 June 1990: Kingdom Of Dub (v/a album - Public Jestering) Attack ATLP 108
- 1991
- 26 October 1991 (King Tubby & The Upsetter): King And The Upsetter At Spanish Town (LP-At The Grass Roots of Dub) Studio 16
Lee Perry - Kimble
A later cover version may be familiar to Fall fans.
- 1992
- 14 March 1992: Perry’s Mood (CD – Excaliburman) Seven Leaves
- 22 March 1992 (BFBS): Perry's Mood (CD - Excaliburman) Seven Leaves
- 01 May 1992: Kimble (LP-Joe Gibbs And Friends: The Reggae Train 1968-71) Trojan
- 10 May 1992 (BFBS): Kimble (Comp. LP - The Reggae Train: Joe Gibbs & Friends 1968 - 1971) Trojan
- 29 May 1992: I Am The Upsetter (album - Explosive Rock Steady Joe Gibbs Amalgamated Label 1967 to 1973) Heartbeat
- 1993
- 15 January 1993: Babylon A Fall (LP - Sounds From The Hotline) Heartbeat
- 31 January 1993 (BFBS): Babylon A Fall (album - Soundz From The Hot Line) Heartbeat
- 14 February 1993 (BFBS) (with Heptones): Sufferer's Time (7") Island
- Early March 1993 (BBC World Service): Kimble
- 05 March 1993: Kimble (Various Artists LP - Joe Gibbs & Friends – The Reggae Train 1968-1971) Trojan Records
- 19 March 1993: You Crummy
- 20 March 1993: Capasetic (7") Upsetter US-361
- 21 March 1993 (BFBS): Kimble (Various Artists LP - Joe Gibbs & Friends – The Reggae Train 1968-1971) Trojan TRLS 261
- 09 April 1993: Bucky Skank (7") Downtown DT-513
- 28 August 1993: Keycard (7 inch) DL International
- 1994
- 12 November 1994: Don’t Blame The Baldhead (Various Artists 2xCD - Respect To Studio One ) Heartbeat Records
- 1995
- 24 March 1995: Jungle
- 1997
- 23 April 1997: Mr D.J. Man (LP - Roast Fish, Collie Weed & Corn Bread) Upsetter
- 01 May 1997 (BFBS): 'MR. D.J. Man (LP-Roast Fish, Collie Weed, & Corn Bread)' (Upsetter)
- 08 May 1997 (BFBS): 'All Africans (7"-Capasetic)' (Upsetter)
- 24 September 1997: Dreadlocks In Moonlight (3xCD-Arkology) Island Jamaica
- 30 September 1997: Clint Eastwood (split 7" with Lenox Brown - Clint Eastwood / Lenox Mood) Punch PH 2
- 09 October 1997 (BFBS): Clint Eastwood (7") Punch
- 1998
- 29 January 1998 (BFBS): 'Roast Fish & Corn Bread (7")' (Island)
- 03 March 1998: I Am The Upsetter (LP: Explosive Rock Steady) Heartbeat
- 15 April 1998: Cow Thief Skank (CD - Lee Perry) Rialto
- 24 April 1998 (BFBS): Justice To the People (Compilation CD-Out Of Many, The Upsetter) Trojan
- 29 April 1998: Stay Dread (CD - Lee Perry Archive Series ) Rialto
- 07 October 1998: John Tom (7” - Trial & Crosses) Ska Beat
- 01 December 1998 (with Sons Of Light): Land Of Dub (7") Black Art
- 03 December 1998: side 1 track 1 (EP-Black Ark In Dub) Track Ark
- 1999
- 06 April 1999: Bathroom Skank (7") Black Art
- 15 April 1999: Bathroom Skank (7") Black Art
- 12 May 1999: Vampire (Horns) (v/a LP - Black Arkive) Justice League
- 08 June 1999: Sunshine Rock (LP - The Upsetter Shop Vol. 2) Heartbeat
- 22 July 1999 (with Glen Adams): X-Ray Vision (Take 4) (CD-The Upsetter Shop Vol. 2) Heartbeat
- 02 September 1999: A Noah Sugar Pan (LP – X-Ray Music: A Blood & Fire Dub Directory) Blood & Fire
- 02 September 1999 (Radio Eins): A Noah Sugar Pan (LP – X-Ray Music: A Blood & Fire Dub Directory) Blood & Fire
- 05 September 1999 (BFBS): Rally Dub (Compilation CD-X-Ray Music: A Blood & Fire Dub Directory) Blood & Fire
- 03 November 1999: Bafflin' Smoke Signal (12") Black Art
- 24 November 1999: Croaking Lizard (LP-Super Ape) Island (Peelenium 1976)
- 2000
- 07 February 2000 (BFBS) (& I Roy): Space Flight (Compilation CD-Lee Perry & Friends - Chapter 2 Of 'Words')' (Trojan)
- 15 February 2000: Dyon Anaswa (7” single) Orchid
- 19 February 2000 (BFBS): Dyon Anaswa (7" single) Orchid
- 21 March 2000: Ironfist (7”) Clocktower
- 30 March 2000: Uncle Desmond (album - The Upsetter - Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 25 April 2000: 'Yakety Yak (CD-The Upsetter - Essential Madness From The Scratch Files)' (Metro)
- April 2000 (FSK): What A Botheration (CD - The Upsetter - Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 02 April 2000 (BFBS): Cow Thief Skank (CD-The Upsetter-Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 05 April 2000: Kimble (LP – Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 06 April 2000: Cow Thief Skank (CD-The Upsetter-Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 06 April 2000 (Radio Eins): Uncle Desmond (album - The Upsetter - Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 16 April 2000 (BFBS): Bathroom Skank (CD-The Upsetter-Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 18 April 2000: What A Botheration (LP: Essential Madness from the Scratch Files) Metro
- 19 April 2000: Cowthief Skank (LP: Essential Madness from the Scratch Files) Metro
- 27 April 2000: The Upsetter (LP – Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 02 May 2000: 'Cold Weather (CD-The Upsetter - Essential Madness From The Scratch Files)' (Metro)
- June 2000 (FSK): What A Botheration (CD - The Upsetter - Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 01 June 2000 (Radio Eins): Fist Of Fury (comp album - The Upsetter - Essential Madness From The Scratch Files) Metro
- 2001
- 28 February 2001: Goosey Version (Take 2) (Compilation CD-Born In The Sky (Upsetter At The Controls 1969-1975) Motion
- 21 March 2001: Woman's Dub (Compilation CD - Dub Original Bass Culture) Metro
- 08 April 2001 (BBC World Service): Woman's Dub (Woman's Gotta Have It Version) (v/a album - Dub / Original Bass Culture) Metro
- 30 May 2001: Perry In Dub (10") Jamaican
- 14 June 2001: Funky Dub (10 inch) Jamaican
- October 2001 (FSK): Cow Thief Skank (7") Upsetter
- 17 October 2001: Cow Thief Skank (7” single) Upsetter
- 05 December 2001: Perry's Jump Up (LP - Skanking With The Upsetters: Rare Dubs 1971-74) Jamaican
- 2002
- 28 February 2002: Bafflin’ Smoke Signal (single) Black Ark
- 16 October 2002: Kinky Mood (LP - Flashing Echo) Trojan
- 13 November 2002: Rejoicing Skank (LP - Flashing Echo) Trojan
- 10 December 2002: Dubbing In The Back Seat (LP - Various - Flashing Echo) Trojan
- 20 December 2002 (BBC World Service) (with Max Romeo): One Step Forward
- 2003
- 12 February 2003: Callying Butt (LP - Flashing Echo) Trojan
- 21 February 2003 (BBC World Service): Callying Butt (LP - Flashing Echo) Trojan
- 28 October 2003: Sipple Dub
- 2004
- 08 January 2004: Iron Gate Dub (LP - 'Reminah Dub') Original Music
- 08 April 2004: Iron Fist (7") Clocktower
- 13 April 2004: Black Panta (LP-14 Dub Blackboard Jungle) Auralux
- 14 April 2004: V/S Panta Rock (LP- Upsetters 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle) Auralux
- 15 April 2004: Khasha Macka (LP – 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle) Auralux
- 22 April 2004: African Skank (LP- Upsetter's 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle) Auralux
- 23 April 2004 (BBC World Service): V/S Panta Rock (LP- Upsetters 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle) Auralux