Lee 'Scratch' Perry | Posthumous Collection 'King Scratch'

Trojan Records released King Scratch (Musical Masterpieces from the Upsetter Ark-ive), a collection from late Jamaican producer and musician Lee “Scratch” Perry. The compilation, released on September 2, is Perry’s first major release since he died and marks one year since his passing at age 85.

The King Scratch collection combines some of Perry’s greatest hits, including his own “People Funny Boy,” “Return of Django” from his reggae house band The Upsetters, tracks he produced like “Beat Down Babylon” by Junior Byles, and unreleased mixes of records like the iconic “Police and Thieves.”

King Scratch is being sold in standard 2-LP/2-CD format and in a deluxe 4-LP/4-CD box set. The box set contains a 50-page illustrated book with words from David Katz, Perry’s biographer, and photos from Adrian Boot. 

The release is a testament to his extensive discography, which was most prominent in the 1960s and ‘70s. Perry boasted an impressive list of collaborators, including The Clash, Keith Richards, and the Beastie Boys. He also mentored fellow Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley, producing for Bob Marley and the Wailers as well as Marley’s solo act. In 2003, he won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album.