As I write this on the East Coast, it’s NINETY FOUR degrees. At 8:30PM. Yikes, stay cool people, by uncorking some reviews of even more finds from the first 2021 RSD:

Buzzcocks – A Different Compilation (Cherry Red Records)

(Cherry Red Records)

This two-disc (pink vinyl, poly-lined sleeves) collection of the Buzzcocks’ finest – and best known – songs is kind of the flipside of the Al Green RSD disc.  It’s a repress of a 2011 release from the band, where they absolutely blister through these songs in the studio as if they were playing them in a live set.  From that perspective the record succeeds, since probably none of you ever got to see them play live, and this is (was, RIP Pete Shelley) a great band.  But it’s inessential from the viewpoint of anyone who already has Singles Going Steady or A Different Kind Of Tension.  Those songs and performances are already perfect, and these renditions don’t really give you any different angle on the originals.  This is a very fine record, but only for the completists.

Lee Perry – Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread (VP/17 North)

(VP/17 North)

A thoughtful remaster (on nicely pressed clear red vinyl) of a 1978 release from the iconic reggae producer/writer/singer/everything-er.  Lee Perry’s hands were on everything in Kingston during the ascent of reggae, but to many he’s still not as nearly well-known as he should be.  One reason may be his production style, which is in full freak-flag mode on this release.  He throws in a kitchen sink of effects, from mooing cows (seriously) to … crying babies?  I don’t know, I can’t identify half of this stuff.  But the material is up to the challenge, and the songscape is creates is dense, but rich with detail that reveals itself on repeated listens.