Lee “Scratch” Perry

Repentance (Narnack)

By Niema Jordan
Published: September 4th, 2008 | 9:00am

Repentance does not sound like the work of a man old enough to be on his 54th studio album. Nor does it seem like the work of the man who developed the “Scratch” technique used by hip-hop DJs worldwide. But it is the work of that reggae pioneer born in 1936 — and so much more than that.

At the age of 72, Lee “Scratch” Perry has succeeded in creating a record that is relevant, which has been impossible for many musicians — even those who are 50 years his junior. The closest the album comes to traditional reggae, both in sound and in content, is “God Save His King.” Outside of that song’s refrain for soldiers in armies and folks closing churches to repent, be prepared for a sound more Hot Chip than Peter Tosh.

The electronic, dub, and beat-box-like rhythm of “Reggae Man” causes hips to move without a second thought while “Crazy Pimp” may leave you contemplating whether to fall into a sensual grind or Southern hip-hop bounce. “Party Time” ends the album, but will surely inspire you to hit repeat moments after wiping the sweat from your brow. Repentance not only pushes sonic boundaries, but sexual ones as well. “Pum Pum,” (which is Jamaican slang for vagina) features the moaning of porn It-girl Sasha Grey, and fellow lewd track “Baby Sucker” showcases a level of raunchiness that would make any Spank Rock or 2 Live Crew fan move to the dance floor.

—