Revelation is the final installment in a series of albums on which Scratch has collaborated with UK multi-instrumentalist Steve Marshall. The second album, The End of an American Dream, was nominated for a Grammy and met with rave reviews. The album features numerous guests, most notably Keith Richards on “Book of Moses” and George Clinton on “Scary Politicians” and if you like Dub Reggae, and to a lesser degree Reggae itself, then it’s always best to follow the masters.
This album opens in a very solid way. It’s probably the best start to any Scratch album I have heard. Also of note is that the album highlights are actually the ones that do not feature his guests. “Revelation, Revolution, and Evolution” opens the album with a smooth Reggae vibe that continues through the album’s highlight (and second track), “Used to Drive a Tractor in Negrille,” and “Fire Power” (which works well considering that Scratch is basically reading a list of people that are invited to his party- which he makes very clear does not include the FBI and CIA). From there the album rambles a bit with a few songs that blend together until the album perks up a bit three-fourths of the way through. “Psalm” is definite moment of solitude and also a highlight as is the more “fun” sound of “Weatherman.”
If you have liked Scratch’s previous work then you’ll like this one as well. Lyrically, it’s a little more nonsensical than his output in the last decade but musically it’s one of his best. And such is the dilemma as to where this fits into his body of work and the Dub Reggae world in general. Since the man lives on a mountaintop in Switzerland and is into his seventies, there’s no point giving anything but respect to this legend. The fact that he’s still active is proof enough that what he has to offer is the real deal.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
