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Black Uhuru

The most successful of the second-generation reggae bands, Black Uhuru maintained their high quality despite numerous personnel changes in their 40-plus-year history. The first reggae band to win a Grammy award, for their 1983 album Anthem, Black Uhuru was, according to Reggae: The Rough Guide, "The most dynamic and progressive reggae act of the 1970s and early '80s."

Black Uhuru, whose name comes from the Swahili word meaning "freedom," was formed in the Waterhouse district of Kingston by Ervin "Don Carlos" Spencer, Rudolph "Garth" Dennis, and Derrick "Duckie" Simpson. When the group experienced difficulties securing a record contract, Spencer left to pursue a solo career and Dennis joined the Wailing Souls. Simpson, who remained the thread throughout Black Uhuru's evolution, reorganized the band with Errol "Jay" Wilson and quivery-voiced lead vocalist Michael Rose, compared by Trouser Press to "a Rasta cantor." Accompanied by the rhythm section of Sly Dunbar on drums and Robbie Shakespear on bass, Black Uhuru created a sound that made them a match for any reggae ensemble. Their debut album, Love Crisis, released in 1977, included the anthemic hit "I Love King Selassie." Three years later, the album was remixed and released as Black Sounds of Freedom.

With the addition of harmony singer Sandra "Puma" Jones, an Afro-American woman who held a master's degree from Columbia University and was a former member of the female group Mama Africa in 1981, Black Uhuru entered their most commercially successful period. In addition to recording a memorable studio album, Red, and an exciting live album, Tear It Up, the group reached its peak with the release of Anthem in 1983. Remixed and revised for release in the United States, the redone version was re-released in Europe shortly afterwards. Although the album received a Grammy, internal problems caused the band to splinter the following year. Rose was replaced by sound-alike Junior Reid. Jones and Reid remained with the band until 1989. Although Reid left when visa problems prevented him from touring, Jones, who was replaced by Olefunke, was forced to step down after being diagnosed with cancer. She died on January 28, 1990, and was buried in her home state of South Carolina. The original three members -- Simpson, Spencer and Dennis -- reunited to record a trio album, Now, in 1990. They've continued to tour and perform in this configuration. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi
full bio

Comments

spongie reggae, guess whos coming to dinner...sta l k of sensimilla
LOVE black uhuru, amazing trippy relaxing reggae that i never get tired of listening to =)
Heard me in high school been hooked since: thanks Herman!
stanley.mart i n e z 2 1
Guess who is comming to dinner
Best group in the 80's R.I.P Puma Black Sounds Of Freedom Uhuru!!!!!!!
akmountainba r r y
Jah Love
if you believe in Uhuru....... . . check out the band MIDNITE..... give thanks!
black u huru say it.. i had a girl look like puma back in da 80's
Everlasting reggae group.
M.rose the best lead singer in black uhuru
burning and listing to the best san pedro bby you hav to luv it
Jah bless
BY far my fav not even close.
This Music is Music not like the new age who keep remaking old songs. and if your gonna remake a song at least get it right.
great train robbery and mondays are two of their best.
They have that something that speaks to my soul like a lullaby..... .
544364090
Black Uhuru...amaz i n g . . . t h e i r music is different its not like regular reggae...it has a better vibe to it....only way to explain it...is that its different... i n a good way
south bay diego/t.j. mexico
nuff sufferation-
mad love-
Wadada to Jah people!
bless from JAH
blessed heights.
Puma Jones di empress nuh bloodcleet
zfunderburk
love dis
THEY HAVE GREAT DUB
indiahart57
love them!
jah rules 4 ever n ever jah most high
arleen30
Real "Crucial" regaae!!!
carlitos4bj
great jamming uplifting,
high quality music to go with high quality ganja.
I love King Selassie I!!!
sick w/it
spongie mon!!
true rasta music.
Memories of the late 1970's to mid 1980's the real energy of Cultural "Rasta music"..give thanks Ras:Michael. . . c a l i f o r n i a .
boyboyboyboy b o y ! ! ! ! !
i make this face everytime i listen to these guys, they are fly daddio fly i say!!
brianlevora
I'll never forget seeing black uhuru on catalina island in the early 80's
my first peep at these peeps and sure sounds like the real deal, even seems to me that the "Fugees" bit some of their style
rastafaricel a s t i a i
maxinelhayes
I love Black Uhuru!! All time fav reggae band!! Sure would love to see them again, has been a long time! Lucky for me though, I have seen them twice, an even got to meet most of the band members, sat on their tour bus with them an chatted it up a while! I even got an autographed photo to boot!! My friend brought a cassette tape back with him after his first trip to Jaamica,back in the early 90's, We have been in love ever since!! Black Uhuru has such a RAW sound!!
...soaking in the vibrations!
blazingrill
what the hewll is going on here my friends?
Grass roots! Doesnt get any better
Good Real reggae
basbova
Awesome. Great for any occasion.
tatical23
Love Black Uhuru!!! Every time they're on Pandora I get happier :)
Original, Earthy, Spiritual
Pure
Happy 4:20 everyone Sponji Reggae in I and I Cup.

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