Search - Black Uhuru :: Liberation: Island Anthology

Superb overview

Sean M. Kelly | Portland, Oregon United States | 09/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am not one to recommend "greatest hits" packages- I'd rather the listener go back and find the original lps and hear all they have to offer...BUT..if you feel the need to not invest in the Simpson/Rose/Jones era (1979-1986) Black Uhuru's classic lps "Sinsemilla," "Red," or "Brutal," then this anthology is as good as you will find for all of their big hits, a few live, rare, and unreleased tracks, and the like.This linup of Black uhuru was as good as it got for 2nd generation reggae, with Rose and Simpson's vocals perfectly harmonized by Jones' gorgeous voice. Sly and Robbie, who helped record and produce many of their hits, remained their constant drum and bass section, which added a very stable, phat reggae groove that is difficult to not dance to.Everything about this lineup of Black Uhuru had greatness written all over it... that greatness never quite came to them, and, with the sad passing of Sandra "Puma' Jones in 1990, that magic will never be captured..If you can, get the lps first, but if a greatest hits collection is your thing, then this anthology is all you will need for this lineup of Black Uhuru."

Essential

Susan Taylor | Northumberland | 06/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you can get the Black Uhuru albums, do. This is a near perfect sampling of their work.



This is real reggae, hard stuff. For people who only know Bob Marley this will be a real awakening. Black Uhuru were the absolute. Sly and Robbie are simply magicians.



I'd recommend this to anyone who likes reggae. This band changed my life!"

Good stuff

picaraza | San Francisco | 03/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not a greatest hits anthology, or even a collection of their best material.



This compiliation relies heavily on two of their later (and inferior Island albums) "Anthem" and "Chill Out", which is just fine...



because it cherry picks the best tunes from those albums, features some previously unreleased tracks, b-sides, remixes and such that aren't readily availlable elsewhere...



and you should own "Red" and "Sinsemilla" in their entirety any way. I think the compilers might have had that in mind when the put it together."