The Upsetters, "Bird in Hand"

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark Studio, Washington Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica, for The Upsetters' "Bird In Hand", first released on the "Return of the Super Ape" LP in July 1978...

Until 1978, I don't think there were many (if any) reggae records made with the lead vocal in Hindi, but that's what this one is ! "Bird In Hand" (aka Milte Hi Ankhen") was written by the Indian film music legend Naushad for the 1950 Bollywood musical drama "Babul". The Perry-produced version features vocals by Sam Carty and I have read that his Hindi is far from perfect.

How it came to be recorded at Black Ark, I have no idea, but like the Upsetter himself, it is both baffling and brilliant ! I can't imagine anyone else having done it at the time." - KV