Here from the fine folks at Cherry Red’s Doctor Bird is another collection of tracks produced by legendary/ innovative reggae producer Lee’ Scratch’ Perry. Black Man’s Time- The Jamaican Upsetter Singles 1972- Chapter 1 is a two-CD set, and as it’s sub-title suggests, all the tracks date from the year 1972.  The release takes in forty-nine tracks, and as we’ve come to expect from these Doctor Bird compilations, we get a good/ varied selection of material, with some true gems.

The two CD’s are presented in a slim double-disc jewel case. It comes with a glossy sixteen-page inlay booklet, which includes a new seven-page write-up about the recordings, vinyl labels, artists' pictures, flyers, track credits, etc.

The first disc has twenty-four tracks, and the second has twenty-five. With a fairly even/good selection of material spread over both discs. Though we do get a few different takes/ versions of tracks- which are somewhat mixed in their quality.

Disc one kicks off in grand style with “Tipper Special” by Mr Perry’s house band The Upsetters. The instrumental track alternates between this wonky honking horn element, and smoother jiving organ tones- the latter is sometimes lightly tempered by what sounds like distant police sirens & tape reeling textures. As we move through the first disc, we come to Lloyd Parks ”Professor Ironside”  with a sluggish, grooving blend of trombone, strutting guitar, organ, and sing-song/ to comical gruff male vocals. And the struttingly wavering waltz of organ/guitar, off-kilter bass dart, layered key drift of “Whiplash Part 2” by The Upsetters.

Onto the second disc, and we move from sassy ‘pop-goes-the-weasels’ horn work, strutting ‘n’ shuffling guitars, and waving almost steel drum-like tones of “Black Supreme” by Ansel Collins & The Upsetters. Onto skittering bass ‘n’ beats, trumpeting trumpets, and scatting vocals of Dennis Alcapone’s “Master Key”. Though to the muffled dub bass tone, jauntingly agitated organ, and taut strutting groove of  “Key Hole” by The Upsetters. Onto lose/ pared back stutt, detailed percussion, and slightly echoed soulful male vocals of “Come Da Da” by Chubby & Scratch.

It truly is astonishing how prolific Mr Perry was in the 70’s- he really can’t have slept, as he produced so much material. Black Man’s Time is another most worthy 'Scratch' collection,  and I’m looking forward to chapter two of the 1972 singles collection.