A special compilation of Lee “Scratch” Perry’s 1970s Black Ark Productions has been assembled into a new vinyl release called Crucial Cuts From the Heart of the Ark (1973-1978).
The collection captures a prolific period on the career of the acclaimed Jamaican singer, songwriter and producer. Tracks featured on the LP include such reggae classics as Max Romeo’s “War Ina Babylon” and Junior Murvin’s “Police and Thieves,” both of which Perry produced. Other highlights include “Fisherman Dub,” Carlton & The Shoes’ “Better Days” and a pair of Perry’s collaborations with The Upsetters: “Traveling In Dub” and “Dreader Dub.”
Regarded as an eccentric musical genius, Perry was one of the most important figures in reggae history. The producer and musician — who died in 2021 at the age of 85 — was a mentor to Bob Marley and an architect of dub music. His influence stretched far beyond reggae dancehalls, impacting such breakthrough acts as The Clash to the Beastie Boys. “Perry was a prolific reggae singer, producer and studio wizard who reinvented the genre and pushed the boundaries of Jamaican music—he pioneered and expanded the use of the studio as an instrument in itself, which forever changed the sound of music everywhere,” Rolling Stone proclaimed.
Crucial Cuts From the Heart of the Ark(1973-1978) is available now. The full track list can be found below.
Crucial Cuts From The Heart of The Ark (1973-1978) Track List
SIDE ONE:
1. AUGUSTUS PABLO/LEE PERRY: “Vibrate On”
2. LEE PERRY/CONGOS: “Fisherman Dub”
3. MAX ROMEO: “War Ina Babylon”
4. THE HEPTONES: “Sufferer’s Time”
5. JR. BYLES: “Fever”
SIDE TWO:
1. THE UPSETTERS/KING TUBBY/DILLINGER: “Scratch the Dub Organiser”
2. CARLTON & THE SHOES: “Better Days”
3. JR. MURVIN: “Police & Thieves”
4. LEE PERRY/UPSETTERS: “Traveling In Dub”
5. ZAP POW: “River”
6. LEE PERRY/UPSETTERS: “Dreader Dub”
