Customer Reviews

Scratch Came, Scratch Saw, Scratch Conquered

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

ahh, I dunno, it's the straight sheezneat. Definitely a listen to everyday album for an everyday thang. O yeee ha ha, trees believe for ya.

i have heard scratch for years, my first album was enter the kung fu dragon, then i got the tibetian freedom concert, which includes heads of state, and i was impressed. he as a musician he has aged flawlessly, and this album sits confidnent next to any. positive and cool, hooks and melody, and the RANTZZZ!

This is my album of the year. You can call it Wingless Angels Part II. Thank you Keith, well done.

Don't be put off by the hype surrounding other recent releases from Scratch. Those who know the man and his history choose "Scratch Came Scratch Saw Scratch Conquered" as their number one. This album sees Lee returning to 'music with a good feeling'. That's what the name "Scratch" really means, after all. The album kicks off with the infectious "Having A Party", which is right on the money ref. the Global Financial Crisis and the Credit Crunch. Continuing with this theme, "Heavy Voodoo" (featuring Keith Richards on guitar and MySpace nu-soul diva Erica Iji) portrays Wall Street overshadowed by the voodoo curse of the ancients. This is much more of a reggae album than "The End Of An American Dream" with authentic cuts like "Saint Selassie", "Yee Ha Ha Ha" and "Rastafari Live" standing out for production quality and feel. There's Lee's tribute to The Rolling Stones, featuring some beautiful work from Keith Richards again; and then the funky "Headz Gonna Roll" which has Lee duetting with George Clinton. The album brings together the legends of Reggae, Funk and Rock'n'Roll in a contemporary mode. My favourite track though is the surreal "Jealousy" which is a proper futuristic dub. And I can't forget the finale, "The Seven Wishes Of Lee Scratch Perry" which is a triumph of improvisation from Lee. Strength to the King!

I agree with all these marvelous reviews, this is just such a great CD, but I should tell you a short story. This I fear is how most people will view the great genius, that towering monument to Dub, the fantastic Lee Scratch Perry.

I was on a date with my future wife and we went to an establishment of drink and I introduced her to my former roommate. I happened to mention they had both heard work by the great Lee Scratch Perry, at which point they looked at each other and said, simultaneously--"HE'S A F***ING WIERDO!"

This should be considered the normal opinion. You have been warned.

"Scratch Came Scratch Saw Scratch Conquered" is the second stellar album from Lee Scratch Perry in 2008. The other album of 2008, the excellent "Repentance," is even referenced on the opening track of this album. Perry is certainly showing no loss for musical creativity this year. While "Repentance" meshed a wide array of styles, "Scratch Came..." is pretty much straight-up reggae/dub with a little bit of funk. Compared to recent releases "Scratch Came..." almost sounds minimalist, which will be welcomed by Perry fans who have been put off by his techno-infused music as of late.

I won't go through every song (no weak tracks on this album), but there a few that are more noteworthy than others. "The Game Black" has a dub poetry sound and feel to it, with Perry delivering great vocals backed by beautiful music. The song concludes with the playing of bagpipes. This song is Perry at his absolute best. The following track "Headz Gonna Roll" is a funk song with George Clinton contributing on vocals. "Rastafari Live" sounds as if it could easily have come out of Perry's Jamaican studio in the 1970's. It's a fantastic song. "Saint Selassie" is a bouncy song that also harkens back to the reggae sound of the 1970's. I can't listen to it without smiling.

All in all "Scratch Came..." is proof that Perry is far from finished making wonderful music. Lee Scratch Perry's offerings in 2008 make him the reggae artist of the year in my book. The man is a legend for a reason, and he continues to build upon that legend.