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Lee “Scratch” Perry, legendary Jamaican singer and producer, has died at the age of 85.
“My deep condolences to the family, friends, and fans of legendary record producer and singer, Rainford Hugh Perry OD, affectionately known as ‘Lee Scratch’ Perry,” Holness wrote. “He has worked with and produced for various artistes, including Bob Marley and the Wailers, the Congos, Adrian Sherwood, the Beastie Boys, and many others. Undoubtedly, Lee Scratch Perry will always be remembered for his sterling contribution to the music fraternity. May his soul Rest In Peace.”
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Perry was born in Jamaica in 1936, kicking off his music career in the late ’50s and having a revolutionary role in reggae music in the decades that followed with his label Upsetter and renowned studio Black Ark. He became known widely for the development and explorations of dub music.
In 2003, Perry won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album with his LP,Jamaican E.T.He later received four other Grammy nominations for his work onBack On The Controls(2014),Revelation(2010),Repentance(2008), andThe End Of An American Dream(2007).
“You could never put your finger on Lee Perry – he’s the Salvador Dali of music,” Keith RichardstoldRolling Stonein 2010. “He’s a mystery. The world is his instrument. You just have to listen. More than a producer, he knows how to inspire the artist’s soul. Like Phil Spector, he has a gift of not only hearing sounds that come from nowhere else, but also translating those sounds to the musicians. Scratch is a shaman.”
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Perry first worked with The Beastie Boys in 1996 when he opened for them in Japan. They later collaborated on the track “Dr. Lee, PhD” as part of the group’s 1998 albumHello Nasty.
Questlove also shared a tribute to Perry, saying the musician was “pure innovation” and “pure imagination.”
“One of the most awe inspiring producers/engineers/visionaries,” hewrote on Instagram. “If you love Dub you love his work. If you love engineers of your favorite record & they come up with these freaky fx? They got it from him. And even if they don’t KNOW he is their influence I guarantee you there is no plug in creator trying to figure out how to achieve his echo/spring reverb/delay beautiful sonic chaos. Rest easy.”
source: people.com
