Over 2017 and 2018, Lee Scratch Perry re united with Producer and Mixer Daniel Boyle, to start work on their second Solo album project for Lee. Picking up where their last efforts ‘’Back on the Controls’’ left off. Lee wanted to continue the raw analogue sound they had cultivated together over multiple past releases, and take it to the next level with new effects devices to create another sonic signature.
The sessions began in 2017, with ideas being laid down for the tracks. This took place at RAK studios in London with their ever changing Rolling Lion All Stars session band; where they tracked live, raw bass, Keys and drum rhythm tracks which would become the foundation for the album.
Using strictly vintage analogue equipment, they employed RCA Ribbon microphones, and RAK’s early model vintage API desk to record. The ‘sound’ for the album was sculpted in these sessions. Vintage, but punchy, which was then blended with Lee’s choice of super rare and custom analogue effects. Ursa Major Space Station and Stargate delays and reverbs, old choruses, spring reverbs, and tape delays were used to create a tight vintage feel but retaining the rawness of the ‘Low Fi’ roots sound Lee was aiming for.
Lee then asked Robbie Lyn from his old Upsetters line up, to work with him on the Keys for the project, and sessions were set up in Jamaica to capture Robbie on Piano, and organs, adding a further dimension to the sound. Next Lee and Daniel added in a whole host of other sounds to the project, from Kete drums, to a Hurdy Gurdy.
With the music coming together, the vocal sessions were held in Abbey Road studio 3, again using vintage RCA ribbon mics, over driving their EMI TG console and Fairchild compressors to create a pleasantly distorted Lo Fi vocal sound that Lee wanted.
Lee and Daniel then returned to Daniels Rolling Lion Studio, to mix and Dub the album, live, on the mixing console.
Lee at 83 years of age, is proud to present the result to the world, as his next full length solo album; presented in a showcase style with Dub versions. Continuing his inimitable Roots Reggae legacy. Lee’s brief for the album, was to blend the vintage and the obscure, during the sessions Lee referred to the sound and ‘black’ and wanted space, light and darkness in the songs and their respective Dub versions. The result sees Lee having mixed up an analogue concoction of ultra-rare effects, Sonic wizardry and deep heavy roots rhythms.
The result is, Lee Scratch Perry ‘The Black Album’
Release Date – October 12th 2018. Worldwide on Double 12” Gatefold 180 Gram Vinyl + CD and Digital.
‘Rolling Lion All Stars’ Musicians:
Vocals: Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry
Drums: Ed West
Bass & Guitar: Hughie Izachaar
Piano, Organ, Synths: Robbie Lyn & Calvin Bennion
Percussion: Daniel Boyle
Kete Drum: Mathias Liengme
Hurdy Gurdy: Brian McCoy
Flute: Maija Vidovska
Horn Section: Rory Sadler, Robert Landen
Melodica: Puraman
The Baby: Fionn Boyle
Backing Vocals :
Tracks
5 & 17 – Puraman
3 & 11 Ruth Tafaebe
1 & 15 Bud
8 & 13 Rosa Shanti
Recorded at RAK & Abbey Road Studios. Mixed at Rolling Lion Studio.
Produced, Arranged, Engineered and Mixed by Daniel Boyle.
Executive producer: Chris Durning
Rhythm tracking assistant engineer: Steph Marzino
Vocal tracking assistant engineer: Jason O’Bryan
Mastered at Abbey Road: Geoff Pesche
TRACK ORDER
A 17:19
1 MR BROWN IN TOWN
2 MR BROWN DUB
3 TRENDSETTER
4 TRENDSETTING DUB
B 16:36
5 YOUR SHADOW IS BLACK
6 YOUR SHADOW IS DUB
7 DEAD MEAT
8 DEAD MEAT DUB
C 21.26
9 DUB AT ABBEY ROAD
10 ABBEY ROAD VERSION
11 BUMPY ROAD OF LIFE
12 BUMPY DUB
13 CAPTAIN PERRY
D 21:26
14 CAPTAIN DUB
15 KILLING DANCEHALL SOFTLY
16 KILLING VERSION
17 SOLID STATE COMMUNICATION
18 SOLID STATE DUB
