What makes Return of Django by The Upsetters notable?

Return of Django is significant for its influence on the development of reggae music and its critical reception, being one of the first albums to showcase Lee Perry's production style. The title track became a classic and helped popularize the sound of reggae outside Jamaica, contributing to the genre's growing global recognition. Released in 1969, Return of Django was The Upsetters' debut album, marking their emergence as a pivotal force in reggae under the guidance of Lee 'Scratch' Perry. At this point, the band was still establishing their identity, which would later evolve into a hallmark of innovative production techniques in reggae.

How many songs are on Return of Django?

Return of Django has 12 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Return of Django

The Upsetters · 1969

34 min · 12 tracks · reggae

A vibrant blend of reggae rhythms and infectious melodies that captures the essence of late 1960s Jamaican music.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Return of Django — The opening track not only sets the tone for the album with its catchy hooks but also became an anthem that defined the early reggae sound.
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Cold Sweat — This track exemplifies The Upsetters' ability to fuse funk influences with reggae rhythms, showcasing their innovative approach to instrumentation.
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Soulful I — With its smooth melodies and reflective lyrics, this song highlights the emotional depth within the album, diverging from typical reggae themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album showcases early reggae elements with strong production but lacks some cohesion in its flow.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a prominent organ riff, setting a laid-back yet engaging tone.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, typical of reggae, enhancing the communal feel of the music.
The instrumentation often includes horns and rhythmic guitar skanks that create a lively backdrop for the melodies.
The last three tracks feature slower tempos, providing a contrast to the more upbeat songs earlier in the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Return of Django 2:36
2 Touch of Fire 2:43
3 Cold Sweat 2:52
4 Drugs and Poison 3:16
5 Soulful I 2:41
6 Night Doctor 2:47
7 One Punch 2:49
8 Eight for Eight 3:08
9 Live Injection 3:21
10 Man From M.I.5 2:43
11 Ten to Twelve 2:38
12 Medical Operation 3:11

What to play next

Listen next

The Upsetter

1969

Go back to

Version Like Rain

Full The Upsetters discography Artists like The Upsetters

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata