Battle Axe [Colored Vinyl]

You won't see Lee Perry's name anywhere on this album unless you look very hard for the producer credit, which is in tiny print on the back. And it's probably true that he doesn't perform on any of these tracks, many of which are instrumentals by the Upsetters, and others that feature such well-known singers as Junior Byles, Delroy Wilson, and Little Roy (as half of a duo called Mark & Luke). But his production style is unmistakable, and the Upsetters' sound is one that he shaped. This collection of Jamaican hit singles was originally released in 1971, and it includes such deathless material as Junior Byles' "Place Called Africa," the Upsetters' instrumental version of "Blue Moon" (billed here as "Dark Moon"), and the title track, an instrumental version of Bob Marley & the Wailers' "Small Axe." The two Delroy Wilson songs, "I'm Yours" and "Cool Operator," are also excellent. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson