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The Upsetter

Released on 10 March 2003.

"The release of 'The Upsetter' in 1969 marked a historical moment in the annals of Jamaican music history. This album, the first collection of productions by the enigmatic Lee 'Scratch' Perry, provided an indication of what lay ahead and while the mind-blowing music of his Black Ark creations was still some way off, the signs were there that this was no ordinary producer. The LP finally receives its due respect with this issue, which features eight extra bonus tracks - including previously unreleased recordings - along with a fascinating essay by leading Perry authority, David Katz, so ensuring 'The Upsetter' is finally presented in a manner befitting a collection of such historic imp"

A large proportion of the album is, as you would expect, organ instrumentals, but in the main I find that the vocal cuts are the most interesting, some of which are the added vocal cuts. Also of interest, not only for completists because they are worthy instrumentally, are the instrumental bonus cuts which often are a particular take on a tune.

On the vocal front case in point is David Isaacs on He'll have to go (Tidal Wave), Ok it's only a Jim Reeves but it cuts a fine tune in Reggae. Heat Proof is the instrumental too Too Hot to Handle (Otis Redding), but Carl Dawkins take on the Big O is very good indeed. Busty Brown does a good version of the Bee Gees To Love Somebody but really hits the spot with a deep soulful pleading on Crying About You. Soulful I is the instrumental to the excellent David Isaacs again on Since You've gone..

Of the other instrumentals Night Doctor featuring Ansel Collins on organ is one of the better ones, but Big Noise with lovely overriding sax is my favourite. We get more 'reggae' of the skinhead variety with the oft topical Spy theme on Man from MI5 and Thunderball. Vocal Harmony cuts in with the Silvertones version of Kiddy-O which is not exceptional

Of the bonus takes there is an unnamed instrumental, which those sparse and tinny fair pounds along. Slow Motion Version 2 is almost dub, and two alternative tkes of Big Noice and Thunderball.

Track Listing : -Tidal Wave - The Upsetters Heat Proof - The Upsetters To Love Somebody - Busty Brown Night Doctor - The Upsetters Soulful I - The Upsetters Big Noise - The Upsetters Man From M15 - The Upsetters Dread Luck - The Upsetters Kiddy-O - The Muskyteers (A.K.A. the Silvertones) Wolf Man - The Upsetters Crying About You - Busty Brown Thunderball - The Upsetters BONUS TRACKS: He'll Have To Go - David Isaacs Since You're Gone - David Isaacs Hard To Handle - Carl Dawkins Endlessly - Silvertones Untitled Instrumental - The Upsetters Slow Motion Version 2 - The Upsetters Big Noise (takes 3-6) - The Upsetters Thunderball (takes 3-5) - The Upsetters

 

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