Roots Archives Forum

Are the three sets - Open The Gate - Build The Ark - Arkology still considered the best starting point for acquiring Scratch (In addition to 14 Blackboard and SuperApe)?

The first two sets were available on vinyl - was Arkology also released on vinyl?

Thanks
Gregg

hi there gregg. i would love a copy of arkology on vinyl, i dont think theres been a vinyl release, hope someone can say there was as i'll make it my top priority in 09. i have the other 2 you mentioned and they are really good box sets. definitly worth tracking down. other lee perry compilations worth looking for i.m.o. are:
scratch and company- chapter 1 the upsetters
lee perry- baffling smoke signal
the black ark presents rastafari liveth itinually
lee perry- cutting razor
lee perry- heart of the ark 1 and 2
lee perry- voodooism
lee perry- produced and directed by the upsetter
various artists- black archives
not a bad song on any of these and some really nice versions and alternative mixes. the black ark at its best. i feel it maybe time to give some of these a spin again.

ital kemar

The HEARTBEAT compilation UPSETTER IN DUB is my fav.

Btw those "Upsetter in dub" dubs are edited so not actually 100% real and original. For example "Son Of Black Ark" is just the same as 12" but edited inna way that it sounds like a 7" dub. Fi True

Open The Gate and Build The Ark are crucial + pressure sounds stuff are also quite good.

This double vinyl never seems to get due attention, but it's really awesome:

[cover=274,306]

the version of 'mistry babylon' by the heptones on open the gate is possibly one of the greatest moments in reggae ever!

jonti, your right. a brilliant album too. the version of 'to be a lover' goes on and on and on. lovely.

ital kemar

I don't know about any particular albums being 'the best place to start' but I'll agree with Open the Gate and Build the Ark being great, but I can't get enthusiastic about Arkology. It is mostly just a sampler of other fine albums.

I think the album to start with for me is probably Super Ape and I have a soft spot for Return of the Super Ape though it is not quite as consistent.

Many will agree with me, and many will disagree but I would not recommend anything post-Black Ark.

I highly recommend anything and everything from before and during Black Ark.

This is where I started (30 years ago!):
<img src="/artwork/albums/thumbs/2023.jpg"

bah! I just don't know html do I?
http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/2023.jpg