Lee’ Scratch’ Perry/ VA — Flashing Echo

From the fine folks at Cherry Red’s Doctor Bird, here is another collection of tracks produced by legendary/ innovative reggae producer Lee’ Scratch’ Perry. Flashing Echo is the second collection focusing on the key year of 1973, and over two CD’s/ forty eight tracks, we get another sonic look into the mind of this key/ important producer during his prime- the 1970’s.

The two CDs come presented in a clear jewel case. This features a glossy/ colourful sixteen page inlay booklet; inside, we find a six-page write-up about the time/ projects featured by Laurence Cane-Honeysett. There’s also band/ project pictures, and of course vinyl labels.

Each disc takes in twenty-four tracks, with a good mix/ variety of tracks on each disc- and of course some creative ‘n’ crazed production moments from Scratch.

The first disc kicks off with “Ensome City Skank” by Dillinger, which recreates the Three Blind Mice tune in dub reggae form- with strutting groove, hissing/snapping/kick-drum percussion, saucy ‘n’ swooning horns, and layered almost-rapped male vocals. There’s“Space Flight” from I Roy- with its open pilot intro from Mr Perry himself, spiralling ‘n’ swirling electronics, whirring organ tones, bass synth purr, chatty to suddenly wailing vocals. We have the tightly locked bass groove/ slightly rocking guitar tones, jiving organ, hissing ’n’ snapping drums, and a-ha harmonies of “Waap You Waa” by Lee Perry & The Upsetters. There's the deep, reverberating bass tones, echoed ‘n’ bending male vocals, on/off jiving keys, and ping-pong ball percussion detail of “Black Candle” by Leo Graham.

Onto disc two, we have the bright, wide reggae pop production of Annette Clarke’s “Just One Look” with its perfectly balanced/ crystal clear blend of bass, guitar, layers of keys, subtle percussive detail and, of course, rich/ soulful female vocals- all showing Perry could do great commercial production when he wanted to. We have jiving key runs, uneven female do-do backing vocals, shambling bass tones, and slightly dizzying flow of “Just Like A Log” by The Silvertones. With“Kentucky Skank” by The Upsetters-Scratch is in fine mad-sonic-doctor form, with a flowing water sample, wow-wow/ whining synth detail, raising female/ male chants, laser gun samples, wayward horns, and Mr Perry’s rambling/ surreal vocals. This disc is slightly let down by a few batches of different versions of certain tracks, but there is worth in these too, highlighting different production decisions.

To date, I’d say Doctor Bird has released, coming up on, say, ten or so of these double-disc Perry compilations. So you’d imagine by now the decent material would be thin on the ground. But there really is no sign of a dip in quality here, with Flashing Echo once again uncovering many a sonic jewel from Mr Perry’s production treasure chest.