original 1977 Jamaican reggae 12" produced by Lee 'Scratch' Perry: Lee Perry "City Too Hot" / Lee 'Scratch' Perry "Bionic Rats" (Upsetters records)

rare original 'Disco Bum' 12"
LEE PERRY
CITY TOO HOT
LEE 'SCRATCH' PERRY
BIONIC RATS
Jamaican UPSETTERS pressing

This crucial footlong fortyfive from 1977 is one of the greatest in Lee Perry's entire, eccentric, elongated, amazing solo career. Produced & released during the spiking apogee of his banner Black Ark creative spark. From his short-lived, amazing 'Upsetters Disco Bum' series, 'so titled because the sound was explosive, like the booming of a musical bomb'. In "City Too Hot" the Upsetter continues to let it be known that he is very upset as he heads for the hills. Because of the war in town he has to cool out. The pumping punctuated rhythm pounds out the marching orders. A false ending brings on more rhythm in reserve with Perry's plaintive plea "Why? Why? Why? Why?" leading into a wonderful dub as Scratch chants the title.

The other side strikes againas the Upsetter reverb revival is overlaid by Lee's killer vocal. Scratch 'sets a super trap to capture all you bionic rats. Hey scavengers! Hey vampire bats! Everyday they cut another version. Judas & Barnabas, Sons of Lucifer, You shall go down in the Valley of Jehosaphat!' No one escapes the Upsetter's wrath since false rastas, fashion followers, soldiers and thiefs are all equally subject to the Superape's Rod of Correction. Perfect background harmony vocals chime in tastefully throughout this top ranking track. Suddenly the floor falls out and "Bionic Rats" is extended by a depth-charged dub making this 'Disco Bum 45' a two movement symphony of extraordinary x-rayed dimensions. Pressed in Jamaica in very limited quantities, briefly in 1977. Read my Scratch liner notes and hear & see my Lee Perry interviews at midnightdread.com for more from The Upsetter & Midnight Dread. The ORIGINAL 12" Jamaican UPSETTER vinyl is in excellent condition. Could almost be called near mint as it appears like new. It has no skips, no scratches, no hand-writing anywhere. Small vinyl bump at very start of B side no problem as it plays fine with extra weight. In its ORIGINAL excellent condition 'Upsetters Disco Bum' sleeve (see photos). Made in Jamaica. "One of the clearest indications of Perry's increasingly troubled frame of mind came in 'City Too Hot', a Black Ark disco from the same period (as Disco Devil) on which his psychological anguish was all too evident. Though Perry sounded light-hearted and fully in control on the flipside 'Bionic Rats' he sounded close to tears and clearly on the edge in 'City Too Hot'. Lamenting the oppressive forces that were actively weighing against him, Scratch alluded to the political gang wars, harassment by police and soldiers, divisive Rasta infighting and 'tit for tat' mentality that had created an atmosphere far from harmonious in Kingston; the song suggested he would head for the hills to find some relief, though Scratch seems never to have found the time physically to retreat the hell of the capital." -David Katz in his boffo book PEOPLE FUNNY BOY, The Genius Of Lee "Scratch" Perry

Matrix #s & inscriptions: L PERRY 2046 A VAMPIRE MADE IN JAMAICA BS RRS CITY TOO HOT / L PERRY 2046 B SUPER TRAP MADE IN JAMAICA PK RRS Go to midnightdread.com to read my interviews with Lee Perry and to learn more about Midnight Dread, reggae and world music through the additional information available there. Look for other rare & original Jamaican & Upsetter vinyl recordings now and in the future from midnightdread on eBay.

Payment due within seven days of the close of the auction or it will be relisted. Sold as is. Shipped with heavy cardboard protection. All sales final. All buyers pay for shipping/handling for a base fee of $5.99 (plus insurance fees, available only in the U.S. if requested). Canada & Mexico: add $3, outside North America (UK etc.): add $4, Pacific Rim (Japan, Australia etc.): add $5. Optional: in addition all outside U.S. please add another $5 to make certain it is sent by airmail.

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On Feb-21-05 at 13:17:07 PST, seller added the following information:

CLARIFICATION ON THE B SIDE'S ALLEGED 'BUMP":
Due to inquiries I have provided this additional information. The 'bump' is caused by a slight manufacturing flaw that is only readily apparent when the record is revolving. It plays fine with just a 1.25 counterweight setting on one of my Technics SL-1200 turntables (yet sometimes skips just on the disc's first revolution during the opening drum bit on my other 1200, which is set at 1.5. Go figure.) I bet it plays fine on most turntables without any added weight. You can see the 'flaw' on both sides when record is in motion even though the disc looks basically flat from sideview. I've played it in many situations (on radio & in clubs etc.) where it never skipped. I called it a 'bump' since that can sometimes be its effect, otherwise it always plays great. If you are not completely satisfied please return the disc for a full refund. Go deh!