Roots Archives Forum

I've appeared to chime in late.

I would not personally recommend *Arkology*. [I'm not a big fan of lover's rock and there's only so many versions of "Police and Thieves" I can take in one sitting. One man's opinion.]

I'd start with *Super Ape*, *Revolution Dub*, and *Blackboard Jungle Dub*.

If you are looking for compilations of material produced by Perry try *Wonderman Years*, an excellent collection of pre-Black Ark material. Top notch.

Not at all Picaraza, I'll be right back on this thread to see what else had been suggested once I've listened and enjoyed my 'starters'!

Thanks

I found Arkology very unsatisfying when I got it. I had so many of the tracks already and somehow it didn't hang together in a satisfying way for me.
there are absolutely superb tracks on it - so maybe starting out it might be a really excellent collection.
I also got the feeling that Island came a bit late with their recognition of the greatness of the Black Ark music - so mixed feelings for me.
I listen to LP in very small doses now in the hope that I can one day regain the glory days of thinking there was no other music in the world as good as LP and the Upsetters!

Revolution Dub - hmm - proceed with caution.
That man's voice is just an irritant most of the time and he applied it (and irritating sound effects with his mouth) too much on this stuff. If a Dub at all he had not got the message himself on what Dub was supposed to be.

His voice can be effective, but is generally best off not heard at all.

Soul Fire
Throw some water in
my favourites of him at his silly best.
Otherwise - well there are prob. a few more but...
He was never and never will be an engineer - so while his magic worked for a good many wondrous tracks - when the Ark bun down it was the end. full stop.

Voodooism --- Pressure Sounds 009

After you bought the "usual stuff" (like Arkology, Super Ape and Dub Revolution etc.) I could recommend you the "Turn and Fire" LP on the Anachron label

It includes great (extended) Heptones mixes and the amazing Disco Devil by Lee Perry himself. However, this LP is difficult to find.

I second Turn & Fire (it's my favourite Perry compilation) and also strongly recommend these four Seven Leaves LPs:

[cover=6130,3854] [cover=3650,3855] [cover=233,259] [cover=3838,260]

Just amazing sounds.

Panic in Babylon & Time Boom X de devil...great albums

ACEtone wrote: His voice can be effective, but is generally best off not heard at all.

ACEtone, man, you are crazy!

I really don't know why so many people seem to feel this way (you're not alone, if past discussions here are any indication). I agree that he's not a great singer, but I'm adamant that he is a great vocalist. Technically, his voice shouldn't be able to stand, but it does. It's a unique voice and I reckon it's an awesome sound when in full flight. Some examples of what I'd class as brilliant Lee Perry vocal cuts -- vocals and all -- are...

City Too Hot
Free Up The Prisoners
Disco Devil
Chase Them
Soul Fire (agreed)
Curly Locks
Bionic Rats

Care to argue the point?

For me "Words", where Perry shows his abilities as a DJ is a great great tune... deep riddim...
[cover=225,252] [cover=230,256]

Satta