Black Uhuru is an evolving group originally began as a trio founded by Derrick “Duckie” Simpson, Rudolph “Garth” Dennis and Euvin Spencer (a.k.a. Don Carlos). Black Uhuru got its name from the Swahili word for freedom (ergo, “Black Freedom”). After releasing a couple of singles such as “Time Is On Our Side,” Dennis and Spencer were replaced by Errol Nelson and Michael Rose. They were first reggae act to win a Grammy Award.
They did a cover of Bob Marley’s “Sun Is Shining” on Channel One’s Hitbound label. Just before that, they recorded the album Love Crisis (later remixed and reissued by Greensleeves as Black Sounds Of Freedom) produced by Prince Jammy.
Around this time, the attractive, American-born Sandra “Puma” Jones took the place of Nelson and eventually a spark was lighted. They won international acclaim with the haunting hits “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” “Abortion,” “Plastic Smile,” “Shine Eye Gal” and “General Penitentiary” recorded for Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare’s Taxi label. These singles were gathered, in extended versions, on 1979’s Showcase. They were latered reissued on CD by Heartbeat under the title Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.
The group then signed on with the Island-distributed label Mango. Their first Mango album, Sinsemilla, established their heavy-hitting, aggresive tone which continued on Red. It featured the driving title track, “Happiness” and “World Is Africa.” It was written by Rose and produced by Sly and Robbie. With the rootsy classics “Youth Of Eglington,” “Utterance,” “Rockstone,” “Sistren” and “Sponji Reggae,” Red is a near-perfect album.
Black Uhuru took a more electronic crossover direction when Sly and Robbie brought in keyboardist Wally Badarou with Chill Out and the Grammy-winning Anthem. Unfortunately, it marked the end of Michael Rose’s tenure with the band. Anthem was remixed for its U.S. release. Original versions can still be found on Liberation: The Island Anthology. Sly and Robbie’s versions of tracks from Red and Chill Out can be found on The Dub Factor.
Uhuru continued on signing up Junior Reid as lead vocalist and switching to the RAS label for Brutal. A dance hit co-produced by Arthur Baker of “Planet Rock” fame- “Great Train Robbery ended the days of Red/Sinsemilla. Every few years, the trio members are changed. After the death of Jones from cancer, the original Spencer/Simpson/Dennis lineup was brought up together for a series of unremarkable albums. The latest release, 2001’s Dynasty, Black Uhuru has been reduced to a duo: Simpson and the far younger Andrew Bees.
The group won their first Grammy award for Best Reggae Album back in 1985 for their album Anthem.
They did a cover of Bob Marley’s “Sun Is Shining” on Channel One’s Hitbound label. Just before that, they recorded the album Love Crisis (later remixed and reissued by Greensleeves as Black Sounds Of Freedom) produced by Prince Jammy.
Around this time, the attractive, American-born Sandra “Puma” Jones took the place of Nelson and eventually a spark was lighted. They won international acclaim with the haunting hits “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” “Abortion,” “Plastic Smile,” “Shine Eye Gal” and “General Penitentiary” recorded for Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare’s Taxi label. These singles were gathered, in extended versions, on 1979’s Showcase. They were latered reissued on CD by Heartbeat under the title Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.
The group then signed on with the Island-distributed label Mango. Their first Mango album, Sinsemilla, established their heavy-hitting, aggresive tone which continued on Red. It featured the driving title track, “Happiness” and “World Is Africa.” It was written by Rose and produced by Sly and Robbie. With the rootsy classics “Youth Of Eglington,” “Utterance,” “Rockstone,” “Sistren” and “Sponji Reggae,” Red is a near-perfect album.
Uhuru continued on signing up Junior Reid as lead vocalist and switching to the RAS label for Brutal. A dance hit co-produced by Arthur Baker of “Planet Rock” fame- “Great Train Robbery ended the days of Red/Sinsemilla. Every few years, the trio members are changed. After the death of Jones from cancer, the original Spencer/Simpson/Dennis lineup was brought up together for a series of unremarkable albums. The latest release, 2001’s Dynasty, Black Uhuru has been reduced to a duo: Simpson and the far younger Andrew Bees.
The group won their first Grammy award for Best Reggae Album back in 1985 for their album Anthem.
Video: Courtesy of Youtube / RastaChaka
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