UPSETTERS

• Eastwood rides again
• Trojan
• 1970
• Jamaica

Upsetters was a studio band of Lee “Scratch” Perry that was formed in 1968. It’s quite hard to find any infos about the musicians on this album, but supposingly the line-up consists of former The Hippy Boys members Alva “Reggie” Lewis (guitar), Aston “Family Man” Barrett (bass), Carlton Barrett (drums) and Glen Adams (organ). The musicians were changing constantly and there was three major line-ups. The Hippy Boys line-up was the second one formed for the Lee Perry’s European tour in 1969.

By the cover you can maybe assume that the album is about Jamaican reworks of old western themes. The title and the cover picture indicate a close relation to some Ennio Morricone type of stuff. But what do you know. Nothing. All the songs - except one - are instrumental reggae tracks strongly influenced by soul, funk and rhythm n’ blues. The only vocal track is “Baby baby”, credited to saxophonist Val Bennet. The album is a collection of tracks produced by Perry with his unique experimentation on new sounds and recording techniques. And there’s no weak songs at all. For example the haunting title track along the funky “Power pack”, “Red hot”, “Tight spot” and the Eddie Floyd cover “Knock on wood”. On this album is also the frantic drum frenzy “Popcorn” that is well known from the dancefloors. Eastwood rides again is clearly one of the funkiest albums that ever came from Jamaica.

Popcorn

Power pack

Red hot

Tight spot

Knock on wood