Premiere: Devon James Shares “Love Reach”, A House Collab With Lee ’Scratch

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s tragic demise in 2021 was, of course, devastating for fans of the pioneering producer, but it was also a tremendous personal loss to all those that were lucky enough to have known him. One of the last people to have worked with Scratch in the studio was producer Devon James who had built up a close relationship with the legendary dub and reggae alchemist over a series of sessions in the final years of his life.

One of the priceless gems born of their fruitful collaborative friendship was James’ new single, “Love Reach”. Rather than retread old ground, they’ve instead met on a through-and-through house jam, building on dance music’s tremendous debt to Scratch’s groundbreaking innovations from the ‘60s and ‘70s.

“That session with Lee was one of the most profound memories of my life,” says James of the initial studio session. “His presence is so powerful and commanding. He recorded vocals for almost four hours straight. At the end of the session we all joined hands and Lee said a blessing…it all was just so surreal”

“We had intended to use the vocals for another project we were doing together but it didn’t quite fit. I sat on them for a while before I decided to make this track. I am really happy with how ‘Love Reach’ came out. I think it’s different from anything you’ve heard from him before.”