Lee “Scratch” Perry in Częstochowa: a co-creator of dub and producer from Black Ark studio

Legendary producer, composer, dubmaster, lyricist and founder and owner of Black Ark studio, Lee “Scratch” Perry is, alongside King Tubby, one of dub's principal creators. He is considered one of reggae's most important figures.

Lee “Scratch” Perry, born Rainford Hugh Perry on 20 March 1936, initially worked as an arranger and talent scout at Studio One. In 1968, after an argument with Coxsone Dodd, he decided to establish his own Black Ark Studio. There, he worked with Bob Marley, Aston and Carlston Barrett, Augustus Pablo, The Congos, Junior Murvin, Max Romeo and even punk band The Clash, among others. It was the most fruitful period of his life: behind the mixing desk, he shaped the sound of many future reggae stars. At the same time, he recorded with his own band, The Upsetters. In 1978, Perry ended this chapter by setting fire to his studio and moving to the USA, where he recorded with New York group Terrorists.

He has numerous studio albums of his own and hundreds more made as a producer to his name. Lee Perry's artistry gave rise to hits including Max Romeo's “Chase the Devil” and Junior Murvin's “Police & Thieves”, to name just a few that have become permanent fixtures in the global reggae canon.