Crucial Cuts From the Heart of the Ark (1973-1978)
Call them cosmic transmissions from the past into a future without him, call them the reggae ramblings and dubbed out diatribes of a mad genius, but don’t forget to call these essential gems from Lee “Scratch” Perry’s extraordinary 1970s era in his home-built Black Ark studio exactly what they are: Crucial Cuts From the Heart of the Ark! - Flying Out
Lee "Scratch" Perry: a genius? A madman? A mystic man? There can be no doubt that he is one of the most consequential figures in the world of music, creator of countless reggae classics, a mentor to Bob Marley, an architect of dub music, and inspiration to musicians around the world ranging from The Clash to the Beastie Boys. Though Scratch may have at times seemed crazy it is worth noting that creative genius appears so because geniuses see things others do not see and inhabit realities unseen. As the music on this album reveals, Lee Perry's Black Ark creations re-arrange the familiar into something new and magical. Lee spent his early days working with legendary producers Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Joe Gibbs, Clancy Eccles and Prince Buster, and by 1968 he was an independent producer, naming his studio musicians The Upsetters and scoring instrumental hits with innovative rhythms that helped forge the new reggae style. In 1970-1971 he produced what many consider the greatest works by the Wailers; in 1968 one of his Upsetters productions hit #5 on the UK pop chart and more hits followed. That gave him the funds to build his own studio and in 1973 the legendary Black Ark was born.