Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Super Ape 50th Anniversary Celebration in Jamaica
Led by producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Emch, Subatomic Sound System developed a longstanding musical relationship with Perry,
Fifty years after the release of Lee “Scratch” Perry’s landmark Super Ape album, New York-based dub collective Subatomic Sound System will bring its anniversary celebration to Jamaica with a special performance alongside Jamaican-born vocalist Screechy Dan at Dubwise Café, 82 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston, on Saturday, October 17.
Recorded at Perry’s legendary Black Ark studio, Super Ape became a defining work of Jamaican dub, celebrated for its experimental use of mixing, effects and instrumentation. Saturday’s performance forms part of a series of select international shows commemorating the album’s 50th anniversary and will feature live dub mixing, musicians and previously unheard audio and video recordings of Perry.
Led by producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Emch, Subatomic Sound System developed a longstanding musical relationship with Perry, serving as his touring band and recording collaborators for more than a decade before his passing in 2021.
The group’s connection to Super Ape dates back to 2016, when Perry and Subatomic Sound System embarked on a 40th-anniversary tour featuring reimagined performances of the album’s material. The tour subsequently inspired the 2017 release of Super Ape Returns to Conquer, featuring contributions from Screechy Dan and Larry McDonald, who performed percussion and also shares a songwriting credit with Perry and Emch.
Reflecting on Perry’s influence, Emch said, “Lee Perry’s great gift of genius was to inspire others to new heights simply with their own creativity.”
Speaking about the significance of bringing the celebration to Jamaica, he added, “We hope to keep that inspiration alive by sharing it and reconnecting it to its origins and originators here in Jamaica.”
Born in Trench Town before relocating to Brooklyn, Screechy Dan emerged as part of the Jamaican dancehall movement in New York during the 1990s. His collaborations with Perry and Subatomic Sound System include Super Ape Returns to Conquer, on which he performed vocals for several tracks, including “Chase the Devil.”
The group’s visit also coincides with a significant milestone for longtime percussionist Lawrence “Larry” McDonald, who will receive Jamaica’s Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service for his outstanding contribution to entertainment during the National Honours and Awards ceremony at King’s House on Monday, October 19.
At 89, McDonald’s career spans more than six decades, with musical contributions alongside Jamaican icons including Perry, Peter Tosh and the Skatalites, as well as international artists Gil Scott-Heron and Taj Mahal.
The October 17 performance provides an opportunity to revisit one of Jamaican music’s influential recordings while celebrating the musicians who have helped carry its legacy across generations.
EVENT DETAILS
Event: Super Ape 50th Anniversary Celebration
Featuring: Subatomic Sound System + Screechy Dan
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Venue: Dubwise Café, 82 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston
Time: 8PM to 12AM
About Subatomic Sound System
Founded in New York City in 1999, Subatomic Sound System is a reggae and dub collective known for blending traditional Jamaican sound system culture with electronic music and live instrumentation. Led by producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Emch, the group spent more than a decade touring and recording with reggae pioneer Lee “Scratch” Perry, including their acclaimed 2017 album Super Ape Returns to Conquer, a reimagining of Perry’s 1976 classic. The collective’s collaborators include veteran Jamaican percussionist Larry McDonald and dancehall vocalist Screechy Dan. Subatomic Sound System has performed internationally at major festivals and venues, including Coachella and the Hollywood Bowl.
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