Mysterious Producer 010 is an author, documentary producer, and DJ. Born in San Francisco and based in London, the man behind this week’s mysterious mix has been surrounded by dub, reggae, ska, and its surrounding scenes for decades—in support of many of the genre’s greats. His selections trace the sonic lineage of his friend (and legend) Lee “Scratch” Perry.

“Jamaican producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry has been widely acknowledged as an icon of reggae, and as one of the most important creative forces to emerge during the late 20th Century. Since Perry appointed me his ‘Ghost Writer’ in 1987, his music has been a big part of the soundtrack of my life since my teenage years—and I have chosen to do a mix of his work to mark his recent death at the age of 85. He is the most ‘Mysterious Producer’ of all. This mix profiles the evolution of Perry from his early days as an independent producer in the late 1960s, through to the heavily-processed work he crafted at the Black Ark, the legendary home studio he built in Kingston as a sanctuary for the Rastafari faithful and a space of unparalleled sonic wizardry; as the mix progresses, you get a sense of Perry’s perpetual playfulness and his ceaseless urge to experiment. There are lesser-known figures such as Burt Walters, Charlie Ace, and the Devine Brothers, rubbing shoulders with big hitters such as Junior Murvin, the Heptones, the Congos and Bob Marley and the Wailers, as well as Perry himself at the microphone. Listen closely to appreciate his complex, intense artistry, and—above all—enjoy the ride!”

Discover more from Mysterious Producers, and stay tuned as we drop a new anonymous set on SoundCloud every other Friday.