Customer Reviews
Each to their own, BUT - By: skidip, 03 Jul 2006 
Everyone has their own opinion & dont let me put you off buying this album, as there are some good songs on it, but this is far cry from albums such as 'Arkology' (which is a must for any Perry fan), 'Open the Gate', 'Build the Ark'. Go straight to the good stuff & buy 'Arkology' & go from there (save yourself a small fortune too).
There is of course classic albums such as Police & Thieves (Junior Murvin) , Party Time (The Heptones) which are superb albums produced by Perry.
Best Introduction - By: Mr. M. D. F. Jones, 23 Mar 2006 
I bought this album as an introduction to Lee Perry's work, after already hearing a few King Tubby compilations. I was not dissapointed by the hype & enamour built up around the upsetter, & this has some of his best material. However, it also has his weakest track 'white belly rat' which does not let down the rest of the CD. This is definately worth the low price & I think it is a better start than essential lee perry, which is a more commercial outing. Will leave you wanting more.
Everything starts from Scratch... - By: GWK, 29 Jan 2004 Having been listening to various reggae artists for the last 15 odd years, no CD has stunned me by its brilliance as much as this. In fact I bought it on the off chance as I had heard that LSP was worth a listen...but after listening to it twice I went out & bought two more copies to give to friends as I felt it would be an injustice if this music went unnoticed! Something I've not done before & probably won't do again! I have since bought more LSP but none are as good as this (Earthman Skanking is a close second).
So why is it so good? Well not only is it original (from the mix of the baby cryingin 'People Funny Boy' which incidentally really does work), to the catchy 'Uncle Desmond' & then on to the witty 'Bathroom skank' ('you have to be clean..to be on the scene..'), before more subtle special effectsin 'Cold weather' (rain this time, again - it works - so goodin fact that he uses itin 'Kentucky Skank'). All this & I haven't even mentioned my favourite 'White Belly Rat' a reflection on his falling out with Bob Marley which could go on for an hour & I wouldn't get bored of it.
So there you have it! Give it a go - you won't be disappointed, trust me!
An excellent introduction to the Upsetter. - By: Mark Lee, 15 Jan 2003 Are you looking for an introduction to Jamaican producer, vocalist & all-round nutter Lee 'Scratch' Perry, but found yourself drowningin the choice of albums that the extremely prolific dub/reggae-meister has released?
Well, struggle no further, you have found a flawless selection of some of his greatest achievements. Whereas on some other compilations, Perry is the common denominator as a producer, on 'Upsetter: Essential Madness From The Scratch Files', he takes centre stage where he belongs, producing, mixing & vocalizing. OK, there are a few guests on this album, but Perry naturally dominates every track from start to finish.
'The Upsetter' & 'Kimble' act as an introduction to the album & to the madman himself, enjoying tough vocal posturing as he showcases his legendary sense of humour (Perry boasts of being 'Kimble the Nimble', to the sound effect of a glass being knocked over). The Jamaican hit 'People Funny Boy' is an irresistibly catchy tune, even below the sample of a wailing baby, which although bizarre, lends the track a certain charm.
'Cow Thief Skank' is the hilarious tale of a cow purloinedin the night. Perry & his vocal accomplice are not amused, dishing out threats to the thief & producing their own cow sound effects!
Perhaps a personal favourite would have to be 'Public Jestering'. Beneath the courtroom antics & skylarking, there's a huge bassline & heavy drum, illustrating Perry's mastery of the mixing desk. Listen to this track on headphones, & you can almost feel his fingers on the controls.
'Stay Dread' is yet another highlight, infectious vocals, & an absolutely huge bass thumping out the tune. I could go on, but since every track is perfectly selected, I would have to credit every track to do the album justice. Needless to say, when I bought the album it didn't leave my CD player for weeks. I am still listening to it now, months later, & it sounds as joyous to my ears as ever.
This album is an essential choice for a Lee 'Scratch' Perry newcomer, because it is simply an album with a selection of his best reggae tracks, with no obscure mixes or dubs (which are fine but perhaps better suited to those accustomed to his style). Even though it is a compilation, the tracks are so well picked that it runs like a planned album.
Highly Recommended.
It is worth noting that the sleeve notes are very informative, & give a brief description & history of each track on the collection.
