Lee 'Scratch' Perry Presents Jungle Lion - The Upsetter Singles 1973, Chapter 1＜限定盤＞

リー・ペリーが1973年初頭にプロデュースしたボスレゲエの重要期を捉えた貴重音源集！

LEE PERRYが1973年初頭にプロデュースしたレジェンド、DILLINGER、DAVE BARKER、エチオピアンズなどのボスレゲエの重要期を捉えた全48曲を収録した2CDが登場。ペリーが1960年代以降にプロデューサーとして歩んできた軌跡をたどるDOCTOR BIRDの2枚組シリーズ第7弾となる本作、『JUNGLE LION』はブラック・アーク・スタジオ開設以前の彼の最も完成度の高い貴重音源を多数収録。1973年当時、多くのジャマイカ音楽ファンがペリーを音楽的天才と称賛する理由を雄弁に物語る、資料性の高い作品の数々は、クラシック・レゲエ・サウンドを愛するすべてのファンにとって必携の内容です。

Continuing Doctor Birds comprehensive anthology series of Lee "Scratch" Perry-produced singles, Jungle Lion tracks the innovators studio output from the beginning of 1973, just before he established his storied Black Ark Studios and created much of his most celebrated work. During this era, he was making tracks that still sometimes bore a resemblance to older rocksteady rhythms, but he was pushing reggae firmly into the future through his studio experimentation, as well as his work with deejays and toasters such as Dillinger and Charlie Ace. While there are a few more traditionally sung love songs, most of the tracks with vocals feature playful, reverb-heavy toasting and chatting. Perry growls heavily on the truly wild "Jungle Lion," one of his straight-up funkiest productions. Another animal-themed cut, Charlie Aces "Cow Thief Skank," starts with a bit from a completely unrelated song, and Perry (playing a radio DJ) also inserts a segment of a Chi-Lites cover into "Station Underground News" -- in both instances, hes clearly paving the way for hip-hop sampling in the decades to come. "Black Ipa" and its version "Ipa Skank" incorporate studio techniques and dub effects which Perry would take to the furthest limits at the Black Ark. "Bucky Skank" is solo Perry at his best, both as a producer and vocalist, while Dennis Alcapones "Rasta Dub" and Dillingers "Dub Organizer" are among his greatest productions for others. The intro to Dillingers "Headquarters" is hilarious, with a child calling on the phone asking to speak to the Upsetter, only for Perry to gnarl "no, hes busy," followed by the sound of a crying baby. "Sick and Tired" spotlights Neville Grants soulful vocals over the horn-based rhythm of the Upsetters earlier instrumental "Return of Django," while "This World" is a powerhouse performance by the Soulettes, a vocal trio featuring Rita Marley, shortly before the formation of the I-Threes. The entire compilation is a tour de force of incredibly fun, creative music, recorded as Perry was right on the verge of the most iconic and groundbreaking period of his career. ~ Paul Simpson