Lee 'Scratch' Perry & Friends People Funny Boy - The Upsetter Singles 1968 - 1969 (2-CD)

(Doctor Bird Records) 53 tracks

First comprehensive anthology of Lee Perry's early productions.
- Contains numerous Jamaican hits.
- Includes some of the most influential Jamaican recordings from the late 60s.
Lee 'Scratch' Perry is now regarded by fans and experts alike as one of the greatest talents of the golden age of Jamaican music. But his rise to the top of the musical ladder was neither easy nor swift: after working as a jack-of-all-trades for Studio One boss Clement 'Coxson' Dodd, he made a name for himself as a recording artist and arranger in the mid-60s before leading recording sessions for a number of up-and-coming record labels. By mid-1968, he finally had the resources and expertise to join them and become a fully independent producer.
Perry's innovative approach and understanding of local music trends quickly brought him national success with a string of popular singles released on Upset, the label he ran with friends and fellow musicians Lynford Anderson and Barrington Lambert. Within a few months he became fully independent, releasing more best-selling 45s singles on his Upsetter label. The popularity of the records caught the attention of London-based Trojan Records, who set up a UK version of his label in early 1969.
During this period, Perry's releases found favor with British skinhead music fans in particular, and by the fall, their buying power helped his production of Val Bennett & The Upsetters' irresistible dancefloor film "Return Of Django" reach the upper echelons of the British pop charts. This success not only brought Perry's music to a worldwide audience, but also provided him with the income he needed to continue his sonic experimentation, which in time would lead to some of the most captivating records ever released.
This collection, which brings together the recordings that launched Perry's career as an independent record producer, contains a fascinating blend of styles ranging from the soulful rhythms of Rock Steady to the dynamic sounds of Boss Reggae. The resulting mix offers not only a captivating listening experience, but also a fascinating insight into the early musical development of one of Jamaica's most influential, innovative and successful music makers.