I'm inevitably drawn back to 1969 album, The Upsetter, a showcase for Perry's production skills and mostly featuring his studio band The Upsetters, along with a couple of guest spots from Busty Brown (aka Clive Smith) and The Muskyteers (better known as The Silvertones). A 2003 CD reissue was bolstered by 8 bonus tracks, including more of The Upsetters plus Carl Dawkins and David Isaacs, also known to his folks as Bruce Bennett.
The original and expanded album is a mix of instrumentals, cover versions and vocal tracks and is guaranteed to put a smile on my face and spring in my step. I love reggae and dub all year round, but it seems especially apt as spring arrives with the promise of summer to come.
Looking outside, I don't think the weather got the memo, so today's selection of cuts from The Upsetter's 2003 edition - 10 songs in under 30 minutes - should bring some sunshine into your life, whatever the conditions outside.
1) Thunderball: The Upsetters
2) Endlessly (Cover of Brook Benton): The Muskyteers
3) Hard To Handle (Cover of Otis Redding): Carl Dawkins
4) Tidal Wave (Cover of 'He'll Have To Go' by Jim Reeves): The Upsetters *
5) Untitled Instrumental: The Upsetters
6) Soulful I: The Upsetters **
7) Night Doctor: The Upsetters
8) Slow Motion Version 2: The Upsetters
9) Since You Are Gone: David Isaacs
10) Kiddy-O (Cover of 'Kiddio' by Teddy Randazzo): The Muskyteers
* The vocal version of He'll Have To Go, featuring David Isaacs, features on the 2003 expanded reissue.
** Soulful I is an instrumental version of track 9, Since You Are Gone.
The Upsetter (1969): 1, 4, 6, 7, 10
The Upsetter (2003 reissue): 2, 3, 5, 8 ,9
