“Scratch the Dub Organizer” by The Upsetters

I’ve always had a soft spot for Underdogs and Rainford “Lee” Perry epitomized the term. After leaving school and Kendal, Jamaica at 15, Perry made his way to Kingston and worked his way up from record seller to music producer for both Studio One and Amalgamated Records. Frustrated with his lack of creative control and low wages, in 1968, Perry formed Upsetter Records and scored several hits in the UK with his house band The Upsetters.

In 1973 he built Black Ark studio, a backyard shed of a space that Bob Marley, Max Romeo, The Clash and even Paul McCartney would record in. While there, he honed his craft, utilizing sampling, delay and scratching before he burned it down in a bizarre fit of eccentricity.

“Scratch the Dub Organizer” was originally recorded and released as “Dub Organizer” in 1973 and featured legendary “toaster” Dillinger. I love this version more. It’s thick, spacy and ahead of its time. You can also imagine Perry behind the mixing desk smiling as he rocks back a forth.
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We lost Perry last Sunday at the age of 85. He was an influential and legendary music producer for over sixty years, and he refused to play nice in a system that held his brilliance back.