Lee "Scratch" Perry - The Essential Lee "Scratch" Perry (2006)

A notoriously eccentric figure whose storied reputation and colorful personality match the sheer strangeness of much of his recorded output, Lee Scratch Perry is unquestionably one of reggae's most innovative, influential artists.

His recording techniques - from his early use of samples to hallucinatory echo and reverb effects - set the stage for generations of musical experimentation, particularly throughout electronic music and alternative/post-punk, and his free association vocal style sets a clear precedent for rap.

Active as a producer and vocalist since the early 60's, he helped guide Jamaican music's shift from ska and rocksteady to reggae with singles like "People Funny Boy" (1968).