Reggae icon and all round fruit loop Lee “Scratch” Perry will release new album “Repentance” on August 19th, with none other than hyperactive rocker Andrew W.K. assisting him on production duties.
Astonishingly, this album is Perry’s 54th studio album – a career that ranges from the sublime (“Heart Of The Congos”) to the ridiculous (erm, this one?). Coming of age in Jamaica’s ultra-competitive sound system scene, Perry has reggae running through his veins. He virtually single-handedly developed dub music, pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable by inventing his own equipment. After building his own studio, the Black Ark, his downfall in Jamaican music came soon after voices in his head told him to burn the studio down. Now married to a member of the Swiss royalty, Perry is a living – if erratic – legend of modern music.
New album “Repentance” finds room for a host of unlikely collaborations including guest appearances from Blondie’s Chris Stein, Moby and Lightning Bolt’s Brian Chippendale. We suspect the latter may have been Andrew W.K.’s influence.
“Repentance” by Lee “Scratch” Perry is due out on August 19th.
