Public Jestering

Public Jestering is a collection of early tracks recorded at the Black Ark studio under the supervision of producer Lee “Scratch” Perry. It features several great performances by Perry himself (including the novelty number that sees Perry being put on trial for the title offense), but the best material here is by others. There’s a fairly consistent focus on dark and serious roots-and-culture lyrics: Truth Fact & Correct deliver the very dread “Babylon Deh Pon Fire” (presented in “showcase” style, alongside Perry’s dub version), but the star of the show is Leo Graham. Graham’s singing voice is startlingly similar to Perry’s, and his reedy, warbly delivery on “Black Candle” and “Doctor Demand” is a delight.