The Upsetters Members, Gear & Sound

Lee Perry's reggae house band

Genre

Reggae Dub Ska Ragga Lovers rock Roots reggae Rocksteady

Members

Select a The Upsetters band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Aston Barrett

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Bob Marley & The Wailers Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers The Wailers Wailers Band

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Robbie Shakespeare

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Black Uhuru The Taxi Gang The Revolutionaries T.O.K. Ras Michael & The Sons of Negus Word, Sound and Power Kookoo Baya Padlock The Seven Seas Players Sly & the Revolutionaries Sly & Robbie Sly and Robbie Compass Point All Stars Material Baba Zula The Aggrovators

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Lee "Scratch" Perry

Roles:

Music Producer

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Carlton “Carly” Barrett

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Bob Marley & The Wailers The Wailers

Needs more gear

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Sly Dunbar

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

The Taxi Gang The Revolutionaries Sly and Robbie Material Sly & Robbie Sly & the Revolutionaries The Seven Seas Players Padlock Kookoo Baya Skin, Flesh & Bones Word, Sound and Power

No gear added

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Augustus Pablo

Roles:

Keyboardist Music Producer

No gear added

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Glen Adams

Roles:

Keyboardist Music Producer

Groups:

The Heptones

No gear added

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Max Romeo

Roles:

Composer

No gear added

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Jah Lion
No gear added

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Glen da Costa

Roles:

Music Producer

Groups:

Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers Zap Pow

No gear added

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Robert “Robbie” Shakespeare

Roles:

Bassist Music Producer

Groups:

The Taxi Gang Sly & Robbie Sly & the Revolutionaries The Seven Seas Players Padlock Kookoo Baya Word, Sound and Power

No gear added

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Dave Barker

Roles:

Singer

No gear added

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Boris Gardiner

Roles:

Bassist

No gear added

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Vin Gordon

Groups:

Zap Pow

No gear added

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Winston Wright

Roles:

Keyboardist

No gear added

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About

The Upsetters are a legendary Jamaican band closely associated with the pioneering producer Lee "Scratch" Perry. Emerging in the late 1960s, they became a cornerstone of the reggae genre, providing the instrumental backbone for many iconic recordings. The Upsetters' lineup was fluid, featuring prominent musicians such as Aston "Family Man" Barrett (bass), Carlton Barrett (drums), and Glen Adams (organ), among others. They masterfully explored genres like reggae, dub, ska, and rocksteady, and were instrumental in crafting the early sounds of The Wailers. Known for their dynamic and innovative style, The Upsetters' influence resonates through their own hits and the legendary productions they supported.

How to Sound Like The Upsetters

The Upsetters' sound is characterized by its deep, rhythmic grooves and rich, layered textures, often underpinned by Lee "Scratch" Perry's inventive studio techniques. Known for crafting a sound that is both raw and atmospheric, they leaned heavily on the use of reverb and delay effects to create their distinctive dub ambiance. The Roland RE-201 Space Echo, frequently used by Perry, played a crucial role in achieving their ethereal echoic soundscapes. The bass lines, often played by Aston Barrett on a Fender Jazz Bass, are melodic and powerful, providing a solid yet fluid foundation for their tracks. The Upsetters' music is a testament to the power of sonic experimentation, where traditional reggae rhythms meet pioneering sound engineering to create a captivating and timeless musical experience.

Discography

Clint Eastwood

1970

Many Moods of The Upsetters

1970

The Good, The Bad & The Upsetters

1970

The Good, The Bad and the Upsetters

1970

Blackboard Jungle Dub

1973

Super Ape

1976

Natty Pass Thru' Rome (Deluxe Edition)

1976

Return Of The Super Ape (2022 Remaster)

1978

"Lee Perry ""The Upsetter"" Presents: Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread"

1978

Some of the Best

1985

Upsetters A Go Go

1995

The Original Super Ape

1997

Return of the Super Ape

2003

Prisoner of Love (Bonus Track Edition)

2006

Ape-Ology Presents Super Ape vs. Return of the Super Ape

2008

Otis Redding's Road Band (A Tributre to Otis) [feat. Jimmy Wess]

2014

In Our Hearts

2021

Vintage Reggae: The Upsetters

2022

Hail To Power

2023

Get the The Upsetters Sound

Want to sound like The Upsetters? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.