Small Axe (song)

[2] It was initially released in 1970 as a single by Perry on his Upsetter Records label, then later rerecorded for 1973's Burnin'.

It has since been covered by several artists, among others Buju Banton, Deerhoof, Andrew Tosh, Greensky Bluegrass, The Aggrovators, U Roy, UB40, Trey Anastasio, and Peps Persson who made a Swedish version called "Liden såg" (little saw).

In the period when the song was written, virtually all the power in the Jamaican music industry was in a few hands including; Coxsone Dodd (Studio One), Duke Reid (Treasure Isle), and Prince Buster (Federal with Ken Khouri).

[3][4] "Small Axe" was first recorded and produced in 1970 as a non-album single by Perry,[5] and Martin Rodman.

[citation needed] The version heard on the Island album Burnin' was re-recorded a few years later, with Chris Blackwell & The Wailers as producers.