{"product_id":"crucial-cuts-from-the-heart-of-the-ark","title":"Crucial Cuts From The Heart of The Ark","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLee \"Scratch\" Perry\u003c\/strong\u003e: a genius, a madman, a mystic man? There can be no doubt that Lee \"Scratch\" Perry is one of the most consequential figures in the world of music, creator of countless reggae classics, a mentor to \u003cstrong\u003eBob Marley\u003c\/strong\u003e, an architect of dub music, and inspiration to musicians around the world ranging from \u003cstrong\u003eThe Clash\u003c\/strong\u003e to the \u003cstrong\u003eBeastie Boys\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThough Scratch may have at times seemed crazy, it is worth noting that creative genius appears so because geniuses see things others do not see and inhabit realities unseen. As the music on this album reveals, Lee Perry's Black Ark creations re-arrange the familiar into something new and magical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLee spent his early days working with legendary producers \u003cstrong\u003eCoxsone Dodd\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eDuke Reid\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eJoe Gibbs\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eClancy Eccles\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003ePrince Buster\u003c\/strong\u003e, and by 1968 he was an independent producer, naming his studio musicians The Upsetters and scoring instrumental hits with innovative rhythms that helped forge the new reggae style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1970-1971 he produced what many consider the greatest works by the Wailers; in 1968 one of his Upsetters productions hit #5 on the UK pop chart and more hits followed. That gave him the funds to build his own studio and in 1973 the legendary Black Ark was born.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the many landmark classics cut at Black Ark are such incisive political commentaries as Max Romeo's \"\u003cem\u003eWar Ina Babylon\u003c\/em\u003e\", and Junior Murvin's \"\u003cem\u003ePolice and Thieves\u003c\/em\u003e\" (covered by The Clash). The Congos' \u003cem\u003eHeart of the Congos\u003c\/em\u003e album is a roots classic and there are many wonderful obscure singles such as Carlton and the Shoes' \"\u003cem\u003eBetter Days\u003c\/em\u003e.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMany dub creations made innovative use of Scratch's sonic wizardry via echo, phasing, reverb, flanging, wah-wah, and various sound effects. It all came to an end in 1978 as Lee, besieged by extortionists, freeloaders, religious fanatics, and assorted pilgrims, let the studio lapse. And then he set it on fire, some say due to frustration, others say from mental collapse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe left Jamaica, collaborated with musicians around the world, toured as a sort of mystic trickster\/shaman, and prospered. But his work at Black Ark will always stand as his ultimate creative achievement.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shanachie","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":52121727107403,"sku":"R0495-9832","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52882571821387,"sku":"R0495-6134","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/273a9158-30dd-4164-b20e-d6a6825b69a2_4ee9f868-4557-4d4c-af42-e7937f8cef0c.jpg?v=1752232525","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/products\/crucial-cuts-from-the-heart-of-the-ark","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}