Lee 'Scratch' Perry - The Mighty Upsetter

First issued on CD only in early 2009, Lee Perry and Adrian Sherwood’s first new recording together in two decades is now also available on a limited vinyl pressing, with both formats distributed exclusively worldwide (except Japan) by Cargo. Lee "Scratch" Perry, Jamaican music's most celebrated producer, has been through more creative rebirths than most artists can imagine. Now well into his seventies, he is currently enjoying another. Over the past half-century he has masterminded more than 1,000 different records, under his own name, with his ever-changing band, the Upsetters, and for countless other artists - each with its own unique, quirky sound. Throughout an erratic career, Perry has walked the wire between genius and madness, never staying in one place too long. He cut his last two truly great albums in London in the late 1980s, alongside On-U Sound production supremo Adrian Sherwood. Since then, he has lived in rustic seclusion near Zurich, releasing a stream of productions, few of which have greatly enhanced his legacy. However, this new set for On-U revisits his original 1960s “Upsetter” production persona, and bubbles over with unusual, genre-busting music and lyrics born of their creator's eccentricity and spontaneity. ‘The Mighty Upsetter’ is a fabulous rematch between Perry and Sherwood, recalling their classic ‘Time Boom X’ and ‘From The Secret Laboratory’ collaborations, ingeniously laced through with echoes of vintage Black Ark basslines, melodies and rhythms. Moreover, it is the empowering sound of an inspirational music-maker blossoming in his twilight years. Includes the tracks ‘God Smiled’, ‘International Broadcaster’, ‘Yellow Tongue’, and ‘Exercising’, all of which have been released over the last year to tremendous success as 12”-only dubstep-style remixes by Moody Boyz, Kode9, and Horsepower Productions. Roots Manuva adds guest rap vocals on ‘International Broadcaster’, and other players include veteran On-U contributor Skip “Little Axe” McDonald on bass and guitar. “Though Scratch's voice is a battered bird these days, life abounds in the music, with Sherwood mixing up traditional roots, restrained electronics and the kind of dub effects he first borrowed from Perry 25 years ago.” – Observer Music Monthly…  “Laying down tracks for Adrian Sherwood to build an ominously spacey and captivating sound around him, Perry’s spoken word voice is masterful and this is Scratch’s best album in years.” – Daily Mirror.

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