Few studio bands in reggae history were as innovative as The Upsetters. Created by visionary producer Lee Scratch Perry, the Upsetters became both a rhythm section and a musical laboratory where some of reggae’s most groundbreaking recordings were made.

The band first emerged in the late 1960s when Perry left Studio One after working under producer Clement Coxsone Dodd. Determined to establish his own identity as a producer, Perry assembled a group of talented musicians to create a distinctive sound.

Early members included bassist Aston Barrett, drummer Carlton Barrett, and keyboardist Glen Adams. The Barrett brothers would later become part of the rhythm section for Bob Marley and the Wailers, but their early work with Perry helped establish the Upsetters’ sound.

The group first gained international attention with the instrumental hit Return of Django, which reached the UK charts in 1969. The track combined Western film imagery with a powerful reggae rhythm, demonstrating Perry’s ability to blend global influences with Jamaican music.

During the early 1970s Perry established Black Ark Studio, a modest recording space in Kingston that would become legendary. Inside this small studio Perry experimented with unconventional recording techniques, turning the mixing desk itself into an instrument.

The Upsetters provided the rhythmic foundation for these experiments. Their grooves were often simple but deeply atmospheric, leaving space for Perry’s production techniques to transform the sound.

One of the most famous recordings produced with the Upsetters was Police and Thieves by Junior Murvin. The track became an anthem of social commentary and later gained international recognition when covered by The Clash.

Perry also produced groundbreaking albums for artists such as Max Romeo and The Congos. The Congos’ album Heart of the Congos is often considered one of the greatest reggae albums ever recorded.

The Upsetters were equally important to the development of dub. Albums such as Super Ape and Blackboard Jungle Dub pushed the boundaries of what reggae could sound like. Perry manipulated tape delay, reverb, and filtering effects to create immersive sonic landscapes.

These experiments influenced not only reggae but also later electronic music, hip-hop production, and remix culture.

Although Black Ark Studio eventually closed in the early 1980s, the recordings made there remain some of the most innovative works in reggae history.

The Upsetters’ legacy lies in their willingness to explore new sonic possibilities while remaining rooted in Jamaican rhythm traditions.

Essential Upsetters Playlist

Return of Django

Clint Eastwood

Live Injection

Scratch the Dub Organizer

Super Ape

War Ina Babylon – Max Romeo

Police and Thieves – Junior Murvin

Fisherman – The Congos

Open the Gate – The Congos

Chase the Devil – Max Romeo

Blackboard Jungle Dub

Dread Lion