Arkology [Box set]

Lee "Scratch" Perry | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 12, 2004)
• Original Release Date: July 15, 1997
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B000001EB0
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,443 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #30 in Music > World Music > Reggae > Dub
  • #45 in Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Jamaica

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Dub Revolution, Pt. 1

2. One Step Forward

3. One Step Dub

4. Vampire

5. Vamp a Dub

6. Sufferers Time

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Dreadlocks in Moonlight

2. Dread at the Controls

3. In These Times

4. In These Times Dub

5. Norman

6. Police & Thieves

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Vibrate On

2. Vibrator

3. Bird in Hand

4. Congoman

5. Dyon Anasawa

6. Rastaman Shuffle

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The nearly four hours of astounding music encoded on these three discs merely scratch the surface of the highly personal sonic universe created by this legendarily eccentric, yet ridiculously prolific, dub-reggae producer. It's still the best source of entry into Lee "Scratch" Perry's world, though, a place defined by homemade avant-garde production techniques applied to the wittiest, angriest, sexiest, and most soulful reggae tunes ever written. Perry was born in 1936, and his career spans the history of Jamaican music. These 52 tracks, however, derive mainly from the late 1970s, when he was at the height of his considerable powers and recording hits like Max Romeo's "War in a Babylon" and Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves" for Island. Helpfully annotated, with a healthy handful of unreleased tracks, Arkology is a beginner's banquet of tracks that sound increasingly deep, daring, and downright frightening as the depth of Perry's talent is plumbed. --Richard Gehr

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must buy right now set, September 20, 2000

By 

Sean M. Kelly (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arkology (Audio CD)

More than most of my 500 or so reggae, etc. cds and lps that I own, I turn to this "Scratch" Perry set for laughs, oohs and aahs, and general amazement.

The tracks on here are priceless, with many of the takes better than the album releases they were on (Junior Murvin's classic "Police and Thieves," and "Roots Train," and Max Romeo's "War Ina babylon" and "One Step Forward" are prime examples). Add to many of these tracks alternate takes or sizzling dub takes (the quartet of "Police and Thieves" is just amazing stuff, as is Perry's phat grooved dub on the Meditations' beautifully harmonized yet potent "Life Is Not Easy," complete with mooing cows..wow), and the cup of Perry's greatness runneth over.

There is no doubt that what Perry did during his time in the fabled Black Ark are among the most important works of dub ever done. More so, the fact that established trios like the Heptones, Congos, and Meditations, all went to Perry is no small measure of the deep respect that Perry garnered all through Jamaica.

Folks, this is a no-brainer. Get this set, listen to it 20 times, THEN pass judgement on it. I have owned it from the day it came out, have listened to it hundreds of times, and am still finding new nuances mixed deep in these mixes. As an audio engineer, I have access to recording agdgets all the time- top of the line stuff, and what "Scratch" was able to do with simple echplexes and the like is beyond my comprehension. The mixes and dubs are THAT incredible.

Go get this set and enjoy.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Goldmine !, June 25, 2001

By 

P. D. Laffey (Hitchin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arkology (Audio CD)

If you`re a music fan that wants to discover the genius of Lee Perry , or simply someone that wants to own an instant classic reggae collection , this is the place to start .

This boxset contains 4 hrs worth of some of the greatest music to have come out of the legendary Black Ark studio , and therefore Jamaica in the Seventies . Tracks such as " Police And Thieves " , " War In A Babylon " , " Roots Train " , " Chase The Devil " , and " Tedious " have reached near mythical status whilst everthing else in this collection is a reggae classic in its own right . The 52 page booklet that accompanies this set only reinforces the fact that this is one of the greatest reggae/dub compilations ever to have been released . BUY IT !

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Boxed Set, May 27, 2001

By 

Michael Heumann (El Centro, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arkology (Audio CD)

Lee Perry's music is not merely the greatest music ever created in Jamaica (remember: he produced most of Bob Marley's essential work), but it ranks up with the most important and influential music of the 20th century. Perry was able to transform even the simplest composition into something new, original, unique. He demonstrated to generations of musicians the unlimited power of the recording studio, where any and all musical visions can be realized. The music on this collection is the best of Perry's work, and it is essential for anyone serious fan of popular music.