A terrific reissue of two early-'70s
Perry masterworks,
Scratch the Upsetters Again and Eastwood Rides Again. The inclusion of the latter is especially significant, for upon its release in 1970 it was considered too outside for mainstream reggae tastes, as it was one of the first attempts by
Perry to use dub remixing to explore the outer limits of sound. Compared to some of the work he would release years later, it sounds positively tame. However, despite the understated quality of this release, it's in many ways quintessential
Perry in its representation of
Perry's significant production skills. If it's way-out, total space vibe you're looking for, these 26 tracks won't offer you enough meat. But if it's quality skank you want, where the riddims are tuff, the playing is cool and slick, and the production is flawless, you won't want to go another day without owning this. Worth it just to hear
Dave Barker's great version of
the Shirelles' "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." ~ John Dougan