A wild ride across the late '60s/early '70s,
Bashment bundles up a batch of
Lee Perry's own numbers and productions, including both vocal tracks and instrumentals, from the rocksteady and early reggae years. Chronologically challenged and thematically diverse, the ride is a bumpy one, but entertaining nonetheless. The earliest numbers date from 1967, with
Perry's "Run for Cover" the best of the bunch, a glorious rocksteady 45 aimed straight at
Coxsone Dodd's head, with harmonies provided by the Sensations. The flip of that single, a cover of
Chris Kenner's "Something You Got," is also included. On "Wind Up Doll"
Perry illustrates his flippancy toward woman, but a few years later he turns the tables with "Water Pump," objectifying himself in pure rude reggae fashion. And then there are the rude boys, who are given an eloquently defense on "Set Dem Free," a powerful retort to
Prince Buster's "Judge Dread."
Perry didn't have the sweet vocals so integral to the rocksteady age, but his sensational rhythms and unique delivery would certainly make a mark in the reggae age. Whether he's bemoaning the grudgeful as on "People Weird" (aka "People Funny Boy") and "Funny Baby" (aka "You Crummy") or just bemoaning his own fate, as he and
Bunny Lee hilariously do on "Labrish,"
Perry's idiosyncratic view of the world was always a wonder to behold. But it was the instrumentals that were really garnering attention, and there's a handful of sizzling ones here to whet one's appetite. One of the most flamboyant, "Night Doctor," was actually overseen by organist
Ansel Collins, and features
Sly Dunbar's recording debut. Although at times only hinting at the heights
Perry reached during these years, this set is still a good taster, and with broad strokes illustrates
Perry's eclectic themes and adventurous productions. ~ Jo-Ann Greene