Ingenious and influential reggae and dub master live on stage
Although not many fans came out to see the show of good ol’ Lee “Scratch” Perry – backed by his Swiss band The White Belly Rats – this ingenious and influential Jamaican producer and musician who’s also known as the Mad Professor, The Upsetter and Godfather of Dub – manages to get all the attending people at the Dutch venue Luxor Live in Arnhem to dance on his cool beats and resourceful dub-reggae.
It’s nice to know that besides literature and other art forms music has its legendary ingenious ‘freaks’ as well. Next to George Clinton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sid Barret and Little Richard – to name just a few – certainly Lee “Scratch” Perry belongs to this category of paradoxical and extremely talented mavericks too.
Tonight Perry is backed by his own band The White Belly Rats consisting of a guitarist, a drummer and a bass player. Next to this reliable backing band obviously many samples and weird sound effects are frequently used as well. Besides the lazy bass driven beats this is still the trademark of the 78 years old reggae and dub master.
Inspector Gadget
With Lee “Scratch” Perry – who’s not known to be a great singer – it’s all about the music. With cool, awesome beats and obscure lyrics. Like one can hear tonight in tracks like Inspector Gadget (a reference to the anti-hero in the renowned American animation series) and Pussy Man in which Perry explicitly glorifies and worships his own private parts and the female’s sexual organs.
Although it’s somehow remarkable to hear this of a man of his age, it’s not offensive or obscene. Based on his achievements and reputation Perry gets away with it. For decades now Lee “Scratch” Perry is celebrated and glorified for his pioneering and innovative works as a producer. Perry worked with almost any great reggae artist including Bob Marley. Therefor he’s rightfully considered to be one of the most influential pioneers in reggae and dub.
War In A Babylon
Lee “Scratch” Perry started out as a record seller for Clement Coxone Dodd’s Sound System. Later on he starts working at Dodd’s famous label Studio One and for Joe Gibbs as well. Finally he starts out on his own with The Upsetters and founded his own studio, The Black Ark. Here he produces numerous legendary albums like The Heart Of The Congo’s – according to many one of the best and most influential reggae albums of all times – Police And Thieves with Junior Murvin, War In A Babylon with Max Romeo and Party Time with The Heptones.
In all mr. Perry has a great and admirable legacy. Therefor it’s a very special night for the attending crowd anyway. To see this legendary and ever so influential producer and musician perform live on stage.
Photo’s: Thamar Leemkuil aka Miss Black Rebel
