Customer Reviews

Arkology

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
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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.

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 !

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.

The compilers of this set worked hard to recreate the Lee Perry Experience: barely coherent, frequently repetitious, and sometimes with dubious sound quality. Somehow it all works. Reel One suffers from a few dull dubs, but other dubs such as "Vamp a Dub", offer such different perspectives on the instrumental tracks that they stand on their own as musical pieces. Reel Two's "Police and Thieves" suite is noteworthy for the fact that just about every cut sounds different from the rest while using the same backing track; certainly proof that the recycling of tracks by Jamaican producers was cannibalistic but nutritious. This entire second "reel", in fact, is probably the strongest disc of the set, not counting the awful "John Public". Reel Three is the most blatant attempt by the compilers to approximate Lee's own albums, and they do a fine job, although by the end of the disc the energy becomes thin. Throughout "Arkology" we are presented with some of Jamaica's finest vocalists, like the Congoes, Junior Murvin (for the single most convincing of his performances, check out "Closer Together"), and the Heptones. The Upsetters are never less than dread-heavy and perfect. Some of the remasterings have resulted in thin mixes; the engineers for the set should have used "Heart of the Congoes" as a template: on that set, much of the hiss and crackle was retained since removing that would also remove some of the musical quality itself. Still, "Arkology" is essential, especially in the middle-American music stores where quality Scratch releases are rare. Maybe Island can correct their mistakes with a sequel.

I first heard some of the selections from Lee Perry's catalogue from a friend who recorded it on tape from a radio broadcast while he was in the navy stationed off the Rock of Gibraltor! I guess they were showcasing Lee, because many of the selections on these discs, and from "Heart of the Congos" was on that broadcast. I was just floored at the time. My exposure to reggae consisted of Bob Marley (of course), Jimmy Cliff, and Toots and the Maytells, but this just made me think "Ok I've finally found the real reggae vibe" which might not have been exactly true, but I felt it! Anyone who isn't familiar with Lee Perry's sound needs to get this set right away, and be transported away with it.

Simply put, you've gotta have this if you are a true reggae aficianado. Perry was one of the most important figures in the history of reggae (some might say he was THE most important), and there really isn't a dud on this set. Sure, there are plenty of dub versions (that's what Perry was all about), but in many cases, the dub versions are even better!! Yes, Perry made other recordings but there's no debating that these are, along with Marley's "African Herbsman", his most important.

"No Peace" and other tracks by the Meditations are among my favorites, but there really isn't a weak link on this set. With acts like The Heptones, Max Romeo, Junior Murvin, The Congos and others, you can't go wrong.

Three pieces of advice regarding this set: First.....BUY IT. Secondly, don't try to listen to it all at one sitting. It's too much to absorb at once, and your brain will have dub echoes rattling back in forth in your skull and you won't appreciate it. Intstead, take your time and listen to it at your leisure......you'll truly enjoy it. Third, plan on repeated listenings. Irie!

This set represents the finest music to come out of Jamaica ... ever! In a creative sense, Lee "Scratch" Perry was to Jamaican music what The Beatles were to pop music. The Black Ark was Lee's Abbey Road studio. Working primarily as a producer, Lee is credited for creating the "dub" sound that has become the backbone of Reggae music. This collection of three CD's is packed to the brim with deep, chunky, bass-driven, mystical rhythms that will send your spirit soaring. This music is deeply spiritual, deeply moving, and delightfully entertaining. There isn't a bad cut in this 3 CD set of 51 tracks. The single most remarkable aspect of this set is that it was created in the late seventies on a Teac 4 track ... If you like Bob Marley (and who doesn't) you'll love this collection of smoldering, sensual soundscapes by his producer. Lee is the "Dub Shephard." ... I am amazed at how brilliantly this music was restored from those tapes ... and how "fresh" it sounds in 1998. This is music with beauty, power, passion and soul ... it will transform you. This collection is a serious "must have" for any fan of "real" Reggae music.

I can only hope that there will be an Arkology II.

Though not a perfect box set, Arkology qualifies as essential listening for roots reggae, dub, and Scratch fans. Mystical, frequently magical and highly experimentative, Perry's Black Ark period mananged to pull off a rare feat: in addition to producing hits like Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves," Max Romeo's "War Ina Babylon," and The Heptones' "Party Time," it also accounted for sublime examples of classic roots reggae, such as Romeo's "One Step Forward" and the Congos' "Congoman," as well as envelope-pushing aural experiments which helped shape dub as a genre.

Arkology's three discs neatly encapsulate what was a high point for reggae as a genre, and Perry in particular. Driving home the point that the Black Ark period produced much more than just hits, alternate, dub and deejay versions are emphasized along with the familiar originals. (The absence of "Party Time" seems conspicuous, although that's somewhat mollified by a dub version credited to the Upsetters.) Thus, while "Police and Thieves" strikes a pleasing chord, it's no less significant than, say, "Vibrate On" (with Augustus Pablo) or Perry's own "Dreadlocks in Moonlight" and "Curly Locks."

This set is intended for well-versed Scratch disciples, and may not be as accessible at first listen as say, Marley's Legend. But that shouldn't be off-putting to anyone who wants to understand the essence of reggae (as opposed to someone just interested in popular music). It might take three or four careful listens to every disc--perhaps not all at once-- to 'get it.' Yet from then on, Perry's "Dub Revolution" becomes self-evident. The compilers deserve credit not only for assembling such a Scratch-y collection, but also for doing so in a way that ensures considerable shelf life.

Simply put, Arkology is a difficult set to wear out, even with repeated listens. This isn't just a box set of one of reggae's most prolific and creative talents, it's a depth charge which submerges listeners into the thick of a culture, a vibe and a genre whose echoes will reverberate forever.

Let me first start off by saying if you are a lover of music then you must jam with this not just for reggae fans i repeat but lovers of music. This is great to any collectors library of music this is history placed in music form. Nothing on this compilation is filler strickly killer on these disks rub a dub at it's best. do not play around get this immediately i listen to all types of music and this is one of the ebst purchases i have ever made in my music buying career. Please listen to these cd's and feel the essence of africa and jamaic coming through your speakers and divinity as well.

This is one of my most valued sets in my entire collection. The grooves in it are so thick with bass. The vocals are deeply soulful. Many tracks induce hypnosis and involuntary swaying. Every cut, every dub is classic. I'm at a loss for words to describe how amazing, how mesmerizing these performances are. They're superbly arranged / produced. As strong an example of the beauty of analog recording as I've ever heard; it's perfect here.