This is Black Ark Music 1978 - 1980 & Beyond. A discography of songs recorded at renowned Reggae producer Lee "Scratch" Perry's legendary recording facility during its final years in operation.
For those who don't know, the Black Ark Studio was located in the Washington Gardens district of Kingston, Jamaica and built in Lee Perry's own back yard at his home in Cardiff Cresent.
The first recordings at the studio began in 1973 and with only the most basic of equipment in the studio "Scratch" was able to create some fantastic riddims and instrumentals, eventually it began to attract artists, producers, engineers and musicians from across the island.
Bob Marley, Max Romeo, Junior Murvin, Jah Lion, The Silvertones and Susan Cadogan were among some of the big names who recorded music at the Black Ark in it's early years and on into what some would say was the Ark's 'Golden Era' of the mid to late seventies.
Many reggae fans agree that some of Jamaica's finest ever musical creations were recorded at the Black Ark including some incredible albums such as Max Romeo's "War Ina Babylon", The Heptones "Party Time" and of course "The Heart Of The Congos" which is considered one of the greatest reggae albums of all time.
It's incredible just how much music was produced from such a small and rudimentary studio, it's estimated that the numbers are well into the thousands of single songs and yet it operated only from around 1973 to about 1981.
It is of course well documented that around 1982 the Black Ark was destroyed after burning to the ground, the accounts of what happened vary, some suggesting that Scratch himself did it to rid himself of the constant stream of visitors disrupting his genius, others simply claim it was an electrical fault.
Either way by 1983 the Black Ark was no more and Lee Perry seemed to lose interest in rebuilding the Ark instead leaving for Europe.
Reggae music of course would continue, evolving digitally in eighties and the roots rockers style that was predominantly the Black Ark sound had begun to fade from Jamaica's musical taste.
The musical legacy left by Lee Perry and the phenomenal sounds created by him and others at his studio live on however with the constant re-issues of material but there is still so much that remains left behind in vinyl obscurity that remains unreleased.
Artists recording at the studio around this time include The Meditations, George Faith, Mystic I, Junior Murvin, Earl Sixteen, The Jolly Brothers, Wayne Jobson, The Sons Of Negus and many others.
Not everything listed here was produced by Perry, lots of material was cut at The Black Ark by other producers and studio engineers including Mikey ‘Dread’ Campbell, Lloyd Robinson, Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, Danny Clarke, David Madden, Augustus Pablo amongst others.
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Discography:
1) The Meditations - Life Is Not Easy
2) The Upsetters - Life Is Not Easy (Part Two)
3) The Meditations - Life Is Not Easy (Island 12” Mix)
4) The Upsetters - Life Is Not Easy Dub (Island 12” Mix)
5) The Meditations - Think So
6) The Upsetters - Dub So
7) The Meditations - Much Smarter (Island 12” Mix)
8) The Upsetters - Much Smarter Dub (Island 12” Mix)
9) Mystic I - Forward With Jah Orthodox
10) The Upsetters - Orthodox Dub
11) Sons Of Light - Land Of Love
12) The Upsetters - Land Of Dub
13) Sons Of Light - Land Of Love (Alternate Mix)
14) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Big Neck Police Man
15) The Upsetters - Big Neck Dub
16) The Upsetters - Big Neck Cut (Dub Plate)
17) Lord Sassafrass - Green Bay Incident
18) The Upsetters - Green Bay Version
19) Michael Campbell - Dread At The Control
20) The Upsetters - Control Dub
1) Errol Walker - In These Times
2) The Upsetters - In These Times (Dub)
3) Errol Walker - John Public
4) Enos Barnes - John Public (Version)
5) The Meditations - No Peace (Island 7” Mix)
6) The Upsetters - No Peace Dub (Island 7” Mix)
7) The Meditations - No Peace (Black Art 7” Mix)
8) The Upsetters - No Peace Dub (Black Art 7” Mix)
9) The Meditations - No Peace (Upsetter 7” Mix)
10) The Upsetters - Peace Of Dub (Upsetter 7” Mix)
11) The Meditations - No Peace (Island 12” Mix)
12) The Upsetters - No Peace Dub (Island 12” Mix)
13) The Meditations - House Of Parliament
14) The Upsetters - Dub Of Parliament
15) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Baffling Smoke Signal
16) The Upsetters - Black Smoke Signal
17) George Faith - Guide Line
18) The Upsetters - Dub Line
19) George Faith - Conscious Guide
20) The Upsetters - Conscious Guide (Slight Return)
1) Danny Hensworth - Mr. Money Man
2) The Upsetters - Dub Money
3) Mystic I - Elaine
4) The Upsetters - Dubbing Elaine
5) Michael Campbell - School Girl
6) The Upsetters - School Girl (Part Two)
7) Mystic I - Elaine (12” Mix)
8) Michael Campbell - School Girl (12” Mix)
9) Junior Murvin - Cross Over
10) The Upsetters - Cross Over Dub
11) Junior Murvin - Cross Over (12” Mix)
12) Junior Murvin - I’m In Love (12” Mix)
13) Junior Murvin - Cross Over (Alternate 12” Mix)
14) Junior Murvin - I’m In Love (Alternate 12” Mix)
15) Debra Keese & The Black Five - Travelling
16) The Upsetters - True Rastafari Dub
17) The Upsetters - Nyambie Dub
18) The Upsetters - Travelling In Dub (12” Mix)
1) Lord Sassafrass - Green Bay Inquest
2) The Upsetters - Dub Inquest
3) George Faith - Don’t Be Afraid (12” Mix)
4) George Faith - Diana (12” Mix)
5) George Faith - Don’t Be Afraid (Upsetter 7” Mix)
6) Junior Ainsworth - Thanks & Praise
7) The Upsetters - Dub & Praise
8) The Hombres - Africa
9) The Upsetters - Foundation Dub
10) Jah Lion - Generation From Creation
11) Jah Lion - Truths & Rights
12) Leo Graham - My Little Sandra
13) The Upsetters - Dubbing Party
14) Leo Graham - My Little Sandra (12” Mix)
15) The Upsetters - Dubbing Sandra (12” Mix)
16) Earl Sixteen - Cheating (Upsetter 7” Mix)
17) The Upsetters - Dub Sixteen (Upsetter 7” Mix)
18) Earl Sixteen - Cheating (Black Art 7” Mix)
19) The Upsetters - Cheating Version (Black Art 7” Mix)
1) Jack Lord & The Upsetters - Economic Crisis {Actually Jackie Bernard}
2) The Upsetters - Dub Crisis
3) The Upsetters - Dub Crisis (Alternate Mix)
4) Sonny & Debby - Sweat Suit
5) The Upsetters - Sweat Suit Dub
6) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Captive
7) The Upsetters - Dub Cap
8) The Heptones - Babylon Falling
9) The Upsetters - Babylon Falling (Version)
10) Mystic I - Feeling Happy
11) The Upsetters - Feeling Happy (Version)
12) Mystic I - Forward With Love
13) The Upsetters - A Happy Dub
14) Wayne Wade - I Can’t Hide
15) The Prophets - I Can’t Hide (Version)
16) Junior Delgado - Warrior No Tarry Yah
17) D.E.B. Players - Leave Yah
18) Junior Delgado & Ras Bug - Warrior (12” Mix)
19) D.E.B. Players - Warrior (Version)
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1) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Free Up The Prisoner (12” Mix)
2) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & The Lion Of Judah - Chase Them (12” Mix)
3) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Free Up The Prisoner (Alternate Mix)
4) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Free Up The Prisoner (7” Mix)
5) Michael Campbell - Home Guard
6) The Upsetters - Home Guard Dub
7) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Roast Fish & Corn Bread (7” Mix - 1978)
8) The Upsetters - Corn Fish Dub (7” Mix - 1978)
9) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Roast Fish & Cornbread (Alternate 7” Mix)
10) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - City Too Hot (7” Mix)
11) The Upsetters - City Too Hot (Version)
12) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Soul Fire
13) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Favourite Dish
14) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Curly Locks
15) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Throw Some Water In
1) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Roast Fish & Cornbread (12” Mix - 1978)
2) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Ghetto Side Walk
3) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Evil Tongues
4) The Upsetters - Evil Tongues (Version)
5) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Mr. DJ. Man
6) The Slickers - Marcus
7) The Upsetters - Marcus Dub
8) The Slickers - Johnny Too Bad
9) The Upsetters - Johnny Dub
10) The Slickers - Every Wolf
11) The Upsetters - Wolf Dub
12) The Slickers - African Children (12” Mix)
13) The Slickers - Black & White (12” Mix)
14) The Slickers - Run Come
15) Bob Marley & The Meditations - Blackman Redemption (7” Mix)
16) The Wailers - Blackman Redemption (7” Dub)
17) Bob Marley & The Meditations - Rastaman Live Up (7” Mix)
18) The Wailers - Don’t Give Up (7” Dub)
19) Bob Marley & The Wailers - Rastaman Live Up (12” Mix)
1) Bob Marley & The Wailers - I Know A Place
2) The Wailers - I Know A Place (Version)
3) Bob Marley & The Wailers - Who Colt The Game
4) The Wailers - Who Colt The Game (Version)
5) Bob Marley & The Wailers - I Know A Place (Alternate 7” Mix)
6) Bob Marley & The Wailers - Who Colt The Game (Alternate 7” Mix)
7) The Jolly Brothers - Conscious Man (7” Mix)
8) The Upsetters - Conscious Dub (7” Mix)
9) The Jolly Brothers - Conscious Man (12” Mix)
10) The Upsetters - Conscious Dub (12” Mix)
11) The Jolly Brothers - Conscious Man (Alternate 7” Mix)
12) The Upsetters - Conscious Dub (Alternate 7” Mix)
13) The Jolly Brothers - Brotherly Love (7” Mix)
14) The Upsetters - Brotherly Dub (7” Mix)
15) The Jolly Brothers - Brotherly Love (12” Mix)
16) The Upsetters - Brotherly Dub (12” Mix)
17) The Jolly Brothers - Have A Little Faith (12” Mix)
18) The Jolly Brothers - Right Before My Eyes (12” Mix)
19) The Jolly Brothers - Cool Down
20) The Jolly Brothers - Play Play
1) The Jolly Brothers - Dread Dreader (12” Mix)
2) The Upsetters - Dread Dreader Dub (12” Mix)
3) The Jolly Brothers - Oppression
4) King Tubby - Pression Version
5) The Jolly Brothers - Colour
6) The Upsetters - Colour Dub
7) Prodigal Creator - Such Is Life
8) The Upsetters - Such Is Dub
9) Prodigal Creator - Life (Part II)
10) The Upsetters - Such Is Dub (Part II)
11) Lord Creator - Such Is Life (Alternate Mix)
12) Robert Palmer & The Upsetters - Love Can Run Faster
13) Hortense Ellis - Stand By Your Man
14) Mike Brooks - Mommy Gonna Buy You A Diamond Ring
15) Adrian Miller - One & Only One
16) Adrian Miller - One & Only Dub
17) Aleas Jube & The Upsetters - Righteous Land
18) The Upsetters - Righteous Rocking
19) The Upsetters - Righteous Rocking (Session Part I)
20) The Upsetters - Righteous Rocking (Session Part II)
1) Althea & Donna - Gone A Negril
2) The Upsetters - Negril Dub
3) Althea & Donna - Gone A Negril (12” Mix)
4) The Upsetters - Crazy Negril (12” Mix)
5) Althea & Donna - Loco Negril (Dub Plate)
6) The Upsetters - Crazy Negril (Dub Plate)
7) Danny Clarke - Nuh Fe Run It Down
8) The Upsetters - Run Down Dub
9) Michael Rose - World Crisis
10) The Upsetters - World Crisis (Version)
11) David Isaacs - Humpty Dumpty
12) Errol Dunkley - To Hell & Forward
13) Jah Stitch - To Hell & Forward (Version)
14) Ras Dahni - Running Nowhere
15) David Madden - Nowhere Dub
16) David Madden - River Flow On
17) Herman Marquis - Take Five
18) David Madden - Reggae Horn
19) David Madden - Reggae Horn (Part II)
1) Dobby Dobson - Overstanding
2) Dobson All-Stars - Overstanding Version
3) Kenny Lloyd - Pitta Patta
4) Soul Syndicate - Pitta Patta Skank
5) Mellow Maestro - Poor Man
6) The Upsetters - Poor Man (Version)
7) Noel Williams - Sun Shine
8) The Upsetters - Sun Shine Dub
9) Noel Williams - Sunshine (Session Tape)
10) The Upsetters - Sunshine (Dub Plate)
11) The Upsetters - Amazing (Dub Plate)
12) Osbourne Kirkland - Manchoneal Jailhouse Wall
13) The Upsetters - Manchoneal Jailhouse Dub
14) The High Priest - Love Hits
15) The Upsetters - Love Hits (Version)
16) The Preacher - Reggae Music
17) Ralston Webb & Liz - Dreamer Man
18) The Upsetters - Dreamer Man (Version)
19) Ralston Webb & Liz - Love At First Sight
20) Tappa Zukie - Ship Sail
1) The Armaggedeons - Take Heed
2) The Upsetters - A Real Version
3) Watty Burnett - Too Late
4) The Upsetters - Too Late (Version)
5) Watty Burnett - Come By Yah
6) The Upsetters - Come By Yah (Version)
7) Watty Burnett - Chances (Album Version)
8) Carol Cole - Ethiopia
9) Earth Born Band - Black Man Culture
10) Carol Cole & Aisha Morrison - Ethiopia (Alternate 7” Mix)
11) Earth Born Band - Dub To Ethiopia
12) Winston Watson - Dispensation
13) Dillinger - Lion Rock
14) The Inamans - Rhythm Rock
15) Carol Cole - Ethiopia (Alternate Mix)
16) Lee Perry & Full Experience - Dyon Anaswa
17) The Upsetters - Anaswa Dub
18) Lee Perry & Full Experience - Dyon Anaswa (Alternate 7” Mix)
19) The Upsetters - Dub Dyon (Alternate 7” Mix)
20) Jah Woosh - I Can’t Hide
21) Jah Woosh - Music
1) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & The Upsetters - Return Of The Super Ape
2) U Roy - OK Corral
3) Lee Perry & Full Experience - Tell Me Something Good
4) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Psyche & Trim
5) Sam Carty - Milte Hi Ankhen
6) The Upsetters - Happy Roots
7) Sam Carty & The Upsetters - Bird In Hand
8) The Upsetters - Crab Yars
9) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - The Lion
10) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Jah Jah Ah Natty Dread
11) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Jah Jah Ah Natty Dread (Dub Plate)
12) The Upsetters - Dub Plate
13) The Upsetters - Dub Plate Version
14) The Upsetters - Dub Plate Pressure (Version)
15) The Upsetters - Megaton Dub
16) The Upsetters - Dem No Know Dub
17) The Upsetters - Rasta Dub
18) Brother Hood - African Freedom
19) The Upsetters - Corn Picker Dub
20) Te Track - Let’s Get Together
21) Pablo All-Stars - Black Ants Lane
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1) Te Track - Let’s Get Together (Alternate Mix)
2) Pablo All-Stars - Black Ants Lane (Alternate Mix)
3) Te Track - Isn’t It Time To See
4) Rockers All-Stars - Isn’t It Time To Dub
5) Te Track - Isn’t It Time To See (Alternate Mix)
6) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - What A Sin (12” Mix)
7) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Baffling Smoke Signal (12” Mix)
8) The Inamans - How Deep Is Your Love
9) The Upsetters - How Deep Dub
10) Aisha Morrison - Be With You
11) The Upsetters - Be With You (Version)
12) Ras Keatus I - Dread Locks I
13) The Upsetters - Dread A Dub It
14) Michael Rose - Time To Unite
15) The Black Uhuru - Time To Unite (Version)
16) The Black Uhuru - Time To Unite (Alternate Mix)
17) Lacksley Castell - Jah Love Is Sweeter
18) The Inamans - Sweeter Dub
19) The Black Ark Players - Jah
20) The Black Ark Players - Cool Rockers
21) The Black Ark Players - Rasta Man
1) The Black Ark Players - Camp
2) The Black Ark Players - Ethiopia
3) The Black Ark Players - Loving
4) The Black Ark Players - Money
5) The Black Ark Players - In The Valley
6) The Black Ark Players - Dread Lock
7) The Black Ark Players - Guidance
8) The Black Ark Players - Never Leave I (Dub)
9) The Upsettress - Dub It Ina Bangkok
10) The Upsettress - Love Maize & Beans
11) The Upsettress - Dub It Ina St. Vincent
12) The Upsettress - Dub It Ina Melbourne
13) Alton Ellis & The Heptones - Pure Sorrows
14) Alton Ellis & The Heptones - The Children Are Crying
15) U Brown - We Want Freedom
16) The Upsetters - Jolly Rhythm
17) Prodigal Creator - West Of Knatchbull
1) Earl Sixteen - Freedom (Disco Mix)
2) Earl Sixteen - Cheating (Disco Mix)
3) Earl Sixteen - Concrete Castle King
4) Earl Sixteen - Give Us A Helping Dub
5) Earl Sixteen - Concrete Castle King (12” Mix)
6) The Upsetters - Simon The Sorceror
7) The Upsetters - Upsetting Rhythm #2
8) The Upsetters - Upsetting Rhythm #3
9) Norris Reid - Give Jah Praise
10) Rockers All-Stars - Praises
11) Norris Reid - Give Jah The Praises (Alternate Mix)
12) Rockers All-Stars - Binghi Satta
13) Norris Reid - Black Force
14) Rockers All-Stars - Straight A Yard
15) Sangie Davis - Jingling Keys
16) Seke Molenga & Kalo Kawongolo - African Roots
17) Seke Molenga & Kalo Kawongolo - Bad Food
1) Seke Molenga & Kalo Kawongolo - Mengieb
2) Seke Molenga & Kalo Kawongolo - Moto Ya Motema
3) Native - Rockstone
4) The Upsetters - Rockstone (Version)
5) Native - In A Strange Land
6) The Upsetters - In A Strange Land (Version)
7) Native - Black Tracks
8) The Upsetters - Black Tracks (Version)
9) Native - Late September In May
10) The Upsetters - Late September In May (Version)
11) Native - In The Land Of Make Believe
12) The Upsetters - In The Land Of Make Believe (Version)
13) Native - Meet Mr. Nobody
14) The Upsetters - Meet Mr. Nobody (Version)
15) Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus - Midnight Hour
16) The Sons Of Negus - Midnight Hour (Version)
17) Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus - Midnight Hour (Alternate 7” Mix)
18) I Roy - Mid Night Hour
1) Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus - Unity
2) Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus - Stop Pay The Price For Sin
3) Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus - Hear River Jordan Roll
4) Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus - Long Time Ago
5) Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus - Don’t Sell Daddy No Whiskey
6) Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus - Times Is Drawing Nigh
7) Diggory Kenrick - War & Peace
8) The Upsetters - War & Peace (Version)
9) The Upsetters - War & Peace (Dub Plate)
10) The Upsetters - Guerra Y Paz (Dub Plate)
11) Thomas White - Ivory Girl
12) Thomas White - Ivory Girl (Version)
13) Thomas White - Ivory Girl (12” Mix)
14) Keith Ffrench - Prejudiced Country (12” Mix)
15) Earl Cunningham - Never Give Up (12” Mix)
16) Clint Eastwood - Follow Fashion (12” Mix)
1) Earl Sixteen - Give Jah Praise (12” Mix)
2) Earl Sixteen - Give Jah Praise (Version)
3) Earl Sixteen - Soldiers Of Jah Army
4) Earl Sixteen - Stepping On
5) Juliet & Grace - What Can I Do (12” Mix)
6) Militant Barry - Lovers Stylee (12” Mix)
7) Diggory Kenrick & The Upsetters - Chim Cherie Rock (10” Mix)
8) Addis Pablo & The Upsetters - Chim Cherie (Melodica Cut)
9) Addis Pablo & The Upsetters - Still Knocking (Version)
10) The Upsetters - Chim Cherie (7” Mix)
11) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Bed Jamming (12” Mix)
12) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Easy Knocking (12” Mix)
1) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Bed Jamming (7” Mix)
2) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Easy Knocking (7” Mix)
3) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Who Killed The Chicken
4) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Some Have Fe Halla
5) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Give Thanx To Jah
6) The Upsetters - Untitled Rhythm
7) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Rainbow Throne
8) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Sweet Guava Jelly
9) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Spiritual Healing (7” Mix)
10) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Spiritual Healing (Album Version)
11) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Spiritual Healing (Rehearsal Tape)
12) The Upsetters - Dread Revelation Dub
Be sure to track down all available Black Ark recorded albums and compilations many of which are out on Island Records, Trojan Records, Pressure Sounds. Just a simply search on Google and you can find many of them on Amazon or eBay. Also for listeners there is a fantastic selection of obscure material available on youtube.
If you would like to contact us then feel free to comment below or email us:
pipcockjackxonrrm@gmail.com
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