Black Uhuru

Black Uhuru

Black Uhuru is a reggae group from Waterhouse, Jamaica, active from 1972. The line-up changes over the years include Derrick “Duckie” Simpson, Garth Dennis, Don Carlos, Michael Rose, Errol “Tarzan” Nelson, Sandra “Puma” Jones, Junior Reid and Andrew Bees. The group also has an association with Lowell “Sly” Dunbar, and their music is linked to dub, reggae, roots reggae and soul.

Formation and early line-up

The group first forms under the name Black Sounds Uhuru, taking the Kiswahili word for freedom. The original line-up consists of Garth Dennis, Don Carlos and Derrick “Duckie” Simpson. Don Carlos leaves and is replaced by Michael Rose, then Dennis leaves to play with The Wailing Souls and Errol Nelson takes his place. During this early period, the album Love Crisis becomes one of their best-known recordings and is later reissued as Black Sounds Of Freedom.

Classic period

In 1979 Sandra “Puma” Jones joins the group. With Rose, Simpson and Jones as the core line-up, and with Sly & Robbie as producers and also permanently employed on drum and bass, Black Uhuru releases the albums Sinsemilia, Red, Chill Out and the Grammy-winning Anthem. This period also includes other releases such as Showcase and Black Uhuru. The group becomes one of the most popular reggae acts internationally and tours with artists including The Police and The Rolling Stones.

Awards and notable recordings

Black Uhuru is the first group to win a Grammy in the reggae category, after the award is introduced in 1985. Their best-known songs include “Shine Eye Gal”, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”, “Sinsemilla”, “Solidarity” and “What Is Life?”. The live recording Live 1984, captured at Rockpalast in Germany but recorded on 18 October 1981, documents the group at a peak in its live career.

Later line-ups and releases

After Michael Rose leaves for a solo career in 1985, Junior Reid joins for several recordings. Sandra “Puma” Jones leaves in 1987 and dies of cancer in 1990. In 1990 Simpson reunites with Dennis and Carlos in the original line-up, and the group records several albums and tours extensively. By the end of the 1990s Dennis and Carlos leave again and are involved in a legal dispute with Simpson over the name Black Uhuru, which Simpson wins. He then forms another version of the group with Andrew Bees as lead singer, releasing Dynasty. Later, Simpson and Michael Rose reunite under the name Black Uhuru feat. Michael Rose, releasing the single “Dollars” and performing at concerts including Western Consciousness 2004 in Jamaica.

Selected albums

The discography associated with the group includes Love Crisis, Black Sounds of Freedom, Showcase, Black Uhuru, Sinsemilia, Red, Chill Out, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, Anthem, Brutal, Positive, Now, Iron Storm, Mystical truth, Strongg, Unification and Dynasty, along with a large set of live and dub albums including Uhuru in Dub, Tear It Up - Live, The Dub Factor, Brutal Dub, The Positive Dub, Live, Live In New York City, Now Dub, Love Dub, Iron Storm Dub, Mystical Truth Dub, Strongg Dubb, Live 1984, In Dub and Dubbin'It Live.