One of the artists I’m most excited to see at Levitation Austinis Lee Scratch Perry. LSP is the godfather of dub music, one of the founding fathers of reggae, and one of the most influential producers and artists in the world. You owe a debt to him if you love EDM, dark wave, hip hop, and innovative studio work. I never thought I’d get to see him live, so his set was put at the top of my list as soon as the lineup was announced.
[Rewind Reviews are reviews of records at least a year old that I haven’t heard before.]
Lee “Scratch” Perry is the father of dub and one of the greatest reggae legends to walk the Earth. His 1976 Super Ape record with his backing band the Upsetters (Boris Gardener – bass, Mickey & Denbow – drums, Earl Smith – guitar, E. Stirling – piano, Skullying – conga, Bobby Ellis, Dirty Harry, H. Marquis, and Vin Gordon – horns, E. Evans – flute) is considered by many to be one of the greatest dub records of all time.
“Zion’s Blood” delivers what would become classic bass lines in dub music, while “Croaking Lizard” has that great itchy percussion, distant echoing guitar, and mantra-like lyrics you’ve come to expect.
“Black Vest” lets the horn section stretch its muscles, while “Underground” has a crispy beat backing reverbed female vocals and a guitar that sounds like it was recorded on a space station. I love the way the horns and flute mesh on “Curly Dub,” and “Dread Lion” is a classic dub song with references to the Almighty.
“Three in One” melds into “Patience,” as both have great spacey vibes to them. “Dub along with me” sing Scratch’s back-up singers before the title track floats into the room like a stoned ghost and creeps into your mind.
This is where dub starts, as does a few other genres. House music, hip-hop, dubstep, ambient, trance, and even some punk and shoegaze started here. Super Ape is essential if you’re a fan of dub, reggae, or milestone records.
Keep your mind open.
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