LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY

The Black Album 7/10

stealthy, sturdy return by wizened dub maestro

Produced by Daniel Boyle, with old Upsetter companion Robbie Lyn part of the backing group, dub legend Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry sounds rejuvenated on The Black Album; by turns mischievous and profound, his vocalisations have a flinty majesty to them, while the production of the album feels reassuringly alive, everything breathing together in real time. That said, one of Perry’s many gifts is his ability to make the familiar strange: The Black Album, dubs and all, could use some more of Perry’s surrealist medicine. But it’s hard to deny that it’s good to hear him in such healthy form.