Dash the Henge is thrilled to unveil the new vinyl Mercy, an innovative and genre-defying record featuring the legendary Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, alongside visionary artists Peter Harris and Fritz Catlin. Set for release on February 28th, the album is available for pre-order here.
Beguiling and strikingly unconventional from the outset, the album opens with ‘Whale:Fisherman’, a haunting sea shanty interwoven with ethereal synth swirls and the distinctive, boxy spoken word of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Midway, the track dissolves into a whirlpool of psychedelic atmospherics reminiscent of Pink Floyd, before drifting out on delicate layers of brass, the rhythmic wash of waves, and the distant cries of seagulls. Experimental yet elegant, this evocative opener sets the tone.
Track two, ‘This is Hell’, pulses with a hypnotic dub beat, layered with floating melodies and swirling psychedelic guitars. More structured and danceable than its predecessor, it still exists firmly in the experimental-psychedelic realm, unfolding like a spontaneous, freewheeling jam session.
Elsewhere, ‘Promised Land’ leans into a more electronic, chilled-out aesthetic, its swinging beat enveloped by a reverberating haze of delay-drenched guitars and synths. ‘Big Fish’ dives into darker waters with its brooding blues undercurrents, while closing track ‘Reggae Poison’ delivers a euphoric, kaleidoscopic finale—an intricate blend of richly layered instrumentation, spoken word, and masterful drum work.
Brought to life by the creative vision of Peter Harris and Llyr Williams, the album’s collaboration with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry infuses it with a raw, magnetic energy. His presence gives each track an edge, propelling the music forward through waves of hypnotic, floating musings. “I always saw Lee as more of a performance artist than a traditional musician,” Harris explains. “This conceptual backdrop provides the perfect setting for his stream-of-consciousness artistry.”
Echoing Perry’s own past innovations, the album weaves historical references throughout its sonic collage. “There’s a deliberate nod to Lee’s legacy here,” Harris continues. “The process is akin to painting—layers built up, painted over, and reshaped until the final piece emerges. In Big Fish, for instance, we pay tribute to Bob Marley’s Small Axe, while also recalling Perry’s version of Sugar Sugar with The Silvertones.”
For Dash the Henge founder Nathan Saoudi (Fat White Family), the album encapsulates the essence of outsider music. “I can’t fully explain what they’re doing, but they have a reason, and that’s enough. That’s why I had to be part of it.”
This distinctive vinyl edition will feature double-sided colour inserts and exclusive artwork Order here
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