John Davis wanted rock ‘n’ roll but he didn’t want to deal with the hassle. The Superdrag frontman broke up his band in 2003, got religion and issued a pair of solo albums, putting a seemingly tight lid on the legacy of his Knoxville, Tenn., outfit. Apparently, Davis is willing to be bothered again: Superdrag’s original lineup reconvened to record Industry Giants, a new album due March 17. This week, MAGNET celebrates the return of Superdrag by handing Davis the reins to our website, where he’ll share his favorite music, films, food, literature and more. Read our Q&A with Davis about the comeback here.
Davis: The Ark of the Covenant was the ancient Hebrews’ sacred container for the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron and manna, which was heavenly food created by God to sustain the people in the wilderness. According to legend in the Kebra Nagast, fundamental to Rastafarian beliefs, the Ark traveled to Ethiopia with King Menelik I, son of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. If there is such thing as a reggae Ark of the Covenant, then Lee Perry’s four-disc I Am The Upsetter: The Story Of Lee “Scratch” Perry: Golden Years box is it. Broader in scope than the three-disc Arkology set, it runs the gamut of Perry’s productions spanning the years 1968-1978. Essential.
“Black Panta” from I Am The Upsetter: The Story Of Lee “Scratch” Perry: Golden Years:
