some late night thoughts on black uhuru's music

[super ape]

so in general, aside from lots of dub plates, i tend to not really like synth and electronics added to reggae, and am not really a big fan of a whole lot of 80s reggae that i have been exposed to.
but, black uhuru is a big exception for me.
i actually got turned on to them in the early 80s, even before i discovered bob and peter tosh and all of the others that followed for me (actually, the dub plates came into my collection very soon after and still remain the favorite).
i remember buying "chill out" when it came out...i recently got another copy after not hearing it for many years, and man that is a very good album with incredible energy.
i also like their other records but for some reason i really, really dig chill out. i'm enjoying it right now, i just put it on after hearing "red" on my stereo.
i wish they were still together and touring. carlos and rose could whip someting up, couldn't they?

[panda]

they have some great albums but all the synth is whats stops them from being one of my favorite reggae bands. if i'm in the right mood i can ignore it, but usually i'd just put on a different record.

[mr mountain]

michael rose has some very punk politically charged lyrics. what sold me was their militant look on the "Red"album cover. i was so into that look that i actually silk screened some black uhuru shirts taken from the image on the "sponji reggae" 12"

[super ape]

thats what i mean- the synth would be something that turns me off. and it isn't my favorite, like some sly n robbie is just too much synth for me.
but when in the right mood, it just hits the spot.
rose has a fantastic voice and the lyrics are hard hitting and match the energy of the music perfectly.
it had been a long time since listening to chill out. and almost as long for red and anthem. i also own brutal which i hadn't heard since the mid 80s but it is just too much synth and i had to take it off.
i've had dub factor for a long time and it still remains a great choice.

[dubisamust]

you should check out michael rose's stuff he done with twilight circus/ryan moore. especially the lp - warrior. very much like his black uhuru days

[sean]

Some great music from this group.I recall in the early 1980s when youth of eglington was a big hit and i was getting into guess who`s coming to dinner and general penitentiary.Great reggae.My fave Black Uhuru dub track i
is one of the track Emotional slaughter.
In the ghetto its a free for all
Star rise
star fall
emotional slaughter

[jahlionyouth]

i totally agree with sean...this dub track is a killer even better than the vocal cut....they made some beautiful music..i also love their song elements

[sleng teng]

Yes, "Emotional Slaughter" and "Elements" are two of my favourites. They are just beautiful.

[Inyaki]

Personally for me, "Chill Out" was the beginning of the downhill period.
I respect those opinions, is just my personal taste.
Sly & Robbie kept trying to innovate, I appreciate that a lot, but the results weren't always my cup of tea.

[sleng teng]

Chill Out is clearly the beginning of a new period, I would say the third one ; the 2 first albums (Love Crisis and Showcase) belonging to the "roots" era, the following two (Sinsemilia and Red) to the, let's say, "baroque" era, and Chill Out opening the "funky/synthesizer" era.