The Revelation of Lee "Scratch" Perry

Lee "Scratch" Perry has been and remains a titan of music production since the late 1960s. A Jamaican architect of the reggae and dub sounds beloved by international fans and artists, Perry recorded his own hits under the pseudonym the Upsetters during the 1970s. At the same time, he brought his distinctive touch as producer to other reggae pioneers (Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin) and artists in the U.K. (the Clash) and the U.S. (the Beastie Boys). Late in his career, Perry recorded his Grammy-nominated 2010 album Revelation at his mountaintop studio and home in Switzerland, collaborating with British producer and engineer Steve Marshall. The latter is also a filmmaker who brought in a cinematographer to capture footage of Perry singing and chanting to mostly pre-recorded instruments for this mystical, prophetic album. Marshall also films Perry performing some monk-like rituals around his studio, and he entices the reggae pioneer to sit for an interview about life during end times (which Perry believes are here) and the cleansing power of his music. Some of this insular profile is a bit monotonous, but devoted fans will be more than happy to watch Perry putter around. Extras include a bonus interview with Perry. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)