Few reggae artists have had as many collections of their work gathered as Lee "Scratch" Perry, but then again there aren't too many other writer/performer/producers as prolific either. The majority of the work here comes from the early '70s. "People Funny Boy," "Bucky Skank," and a great nod to Al Green and Memphis soul with "Jungle Li...

Few reggae artists have had as many collections of their work gathered as Lee "Scratch" Perry, but then again there aren't too many other writer/performer/producers as prolific either. The majority of the work here comes from the early '70s. "People Funny Boy," "Bucky Skank," and a great nod to Al Green and Memphis soul with "Jungle Lion" stand out from the set, but Perry was so consistent that even "Seaside" from the late '80s sounds in tune with his strongest work from the previous decade. "Scratch the Dub Organizer" is the only true dub instrumental included, but the hallmark echo and edits of dub are present throughout Scratch's work and are used to great effect on "Dub De Music" and the lascivious "Water Pump." With only 12 tracks, This Is Crucial Reggae is a brief visit with the madman, but manages to capture Perry's spirit and hints at the scope of his work from the '60s through the '80s. ~ Wade Kergan, Rovi