The Wonderman Years

Performer: Various Artists/Lee "Scratch" Perry
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Performers include: Bob Marley & The Wailers, Junior Byles, Dennis Alcapone, Big Youth, Augustus Pablo. Personnel: Mikey Chung (guitar); Roland Alphonso, Tommy McCook, Val Bennett (saxophone); Ron Wilson (trombone); Gladstone Anderson (piano); Earl "Wire" Lindo, Ansel Collins (organ); Hugh Malcolm, Lloyd "Tinleg" Adams, Carlton "Carlie" Barrett (drums). Compilations of the work of producer Lee "Scratch" Perry -- and biographical essays that survey his career -- invariably focus on the period during the late-'60s when that work was being released on the British Upsetter label, and on the subsequent period in the early-to-mid-'70s when he opened his Black Ark studio and made some of the most strange and inspired reggae recordings ever to hit the marketplace. What compilers and essayists generally overlook is the period around 1970-1971, when he released a series of Jamaican singles on the Justice League label, billing himself as "Lee Perry -- Wonderman" (these were mostly released in England under the Upsetter imprint). Under that moniker he produced some of the most enduring songs of his career, though most fans think of them as either Upsetter or Black Ark releases. These songs include the Wailers' immortal "Keep on Moving," the Gatherers' "Words of My Mouth," and Junior Byles brilliant take on the pop hit "Fever." There were numerous deejay versions as well, including Big Youth's cut on "Keep on Moving" (titled "Mooving Version"), Dennis Alcapone's very fine "Master Key," and a deejay version of Junior Byles' "King of Babylon." The Wonderman Years should not take the place of a solid compilation of Black Ark material in anyone's collection, but it offers an excellent overview of an often-neglected period in Perry's history. ~ Rick Anderson There is a period in Jamaican producer Lee "Scratch" Perry's long recording history that often gets overlooked simply because of where it falls, and that interval, the so-called "Wonderman" years (from the advent of his innovative work with the Wailers in 1969 through the very early years of his Black Ark recording studio), is covered in this collection. There is wonderful stuff here, with some of Perry's best and most classic rhythms presented in song, dub, and DJ versions. The Wailers are represented by Bob Marley's famous take on Richie Havens' "African Herbsman" and one of Peter Tosh's finest songs, "Brand New Second Hand," but there are many other highlights, including three wonderful tracks ("Beat Down Babylon," "A Place Called Africa," "Fever") done by Junior Byles and the striking, oddball "Mighty Clouds of Joy" by Lloyd Parks. Perry had a special touch with vocal trios, and in addition to the Wailers tracks, there are fine cuts here from the Stingers ("Give Me Power," "Preacher Man"), the Willows ("Cool Iron"), and the Gatherers ("Start Over," "Words of My Mouth"). This two-disc set is probably not the place to start if you are new to Perry's work, but if you're a fan, it is close to essential. ~ Steve Leggett Compilations of the work of producer Lee "Scratch" Perry -- and biographical essays that survey his career -- invariably focus on the period during the late-'60s when that work was being released on the British Upsetter label, and on the subsequent period in the early-to-mid-'70s when he opened his Black Ark studio and made some of the most strange and inspired reggae recordings ever to hit the marketplace. What compilers and essayists generally overlook is the period around 1970-1971, when he released a series of Jamaican singles on the Justice League label, billing himself as "Lee Perry -- Wonderman" (these were mostly released in England under the Upsetter imprint). Under that moniker he produced some of the most enduring songs of his career, though most fans think of them as either Upsetter or Black Ark releases. These songs include the Wailers' immortal "Keep on Moving," the Gatherers' "Words of My Mouth," and Junior Byles brilliant take on the pop hit "Fever." There were numerous deejay versions as well, including Big Youth's cut on "Keep on Moving" (titled "Mooving Version"), Dennis Alcapone's very fine "Master Key," and a deejay version of Junior Byles' "King of Babylon." The Wonderman Years should not take the place of a solid compilation of Black Ark material in anyone's collection, but it offers an excellent overview of an often-neglected period in Perry's history. ~ Rick Anderson

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