Black Uhuru
 Derek 'Duckie' Simpson, Don McCarlos and Rudolph 'Garth' Dennis (later of Wailing Souls) formed a vocal roots group called Black Sounds Uhro early 70's. As Uhuru (Swahili for 'freedom') they released their first single (a cover of Curtis Mayfield's 'Romancing To The Folk Song') for Dynamic's Top Cat label.
 After recording many cover versions with limited success, Don Carlos and Garth Dennis left the group to be replaced by Errol Nelson from the Jayes and Michael Rose, who had previously recorded for Yabby You and Winston 'Niney' Holness. Black Uhuru recorded their debut album containing original group songs entitled Love Crisis for Prince Jammy in 1977.
 In 1981, Prince Jammy remixed the tracks and released an album re-titled Black Sounds Of Freedom. With a strong dub slant and a lush intensity unrivaled by few roots LPs Michael Rose's voice floats effortlessly on emotional tracks such as Satan Army Band, the classic I Love King Selassie, African Love and Hard Ground.
Rose was and continues to be a master of infusing rhythm tracks with a haunting charm that consumes the listener, and is one of the few singers to tackle a Marley tune (Natural Mystic) without disgracing the original.
Musicians featured are Earl "Chinna" Smith; Bo Peep; Eric "Bingy Bunny" Lamont (guitar); Earl "Wire" Lindo (strings); Johnny Osbourne (harmonica); Bob, Headly, Cedric (horns); Keith Sterling; Gladstone Anderson (piano); Winston Wright (Harpsichord, Clavinet, organ); Robbie Shakespeare, Mikey (bass guitar); Sly Dunbar, Santa Davis, Lincoln "Style" Scott (drums); Scully (percussion). |
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