Scratch the Upsetter Again/Eastwood Rides Again

2 LPs on 1 CD: SCRATCH THE UPSETTER AGAIN (1966)/EASTWOOD RIDES AGAIN (1970).
Additional personnel includes: Alva Lewis (guitar); Glen Adams (keyboards); Aston Barrett (bass); Carlton Barrett (drums).
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
This is part of Trojan Records "Classic Reggae" series.
Though the lineup of the Upsetters continually shifted throughout the 1960s and early '70s, the group is widely recognized as one of the finest backing bands in reggae history. Under the direction of Lee "Scratch" Perry, who produced and often played with the ensemble (they were something of a house band for the many records cut at Perry's Upsetter studio), the Upsetters not only accompanied vocalists, but also recorded and released their own instrumental tracks. Their tight-knit, groove-oriented chemistry was often augmented by Perry's progressive studio trickery.
SCRATCH THE UPSETTER AGAIN draws from sessions primarily cut in 1970, and finds the Upsetters straddling the fence between the R&B- and ska-influenced sound of the late '60s and the deep roots vibe developing at the time. There are also traces of Perry's emerging dub experiments, with many tracks sporting a skeletal rhythmic architecture, washes of reverb, echo, and shuddering sound effects. While a few songs feature lead vocalists, Dave Barker's version of "Will You Still Love Me," for example, and Prince Miller's proto-rap on "Mule Train," SCRATCH is largely instrumental, with plenty of bouncing bottom and heady melody to satisfy reggae fans. The addition of 10 bonus tracks makes this collection a particular treasure.