Search - Black Uhuru :: Dynasty

A Statement for the New Millenium!

Tom Plum | Roswell, NM United States | 03/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Black Uhuru is often looked on for it's stellar efforts during the Michael Rose, Puma Jones era but this is equally a great one too.



Sly and Robbie are involved in this release and when they get involved it seems it is dynamic right from the go!



Like the latest release by Steel Pulse, Legendary Reggae Bands continue to make landmark music.



For a quick rundown of the highlights of the CD:



The opening song, "Liberation 2000", is a great opening, it must concern some specific event with the lyrics "Liberation two thousand, 1993 in Ithiopia", a nice Pan-African type of anthem, there's that word. Honestly, it's got a profound sound to it; originally I thought maybe in spots on the whole CD, the lyrics should be tweaked, now I see, I've got to listen to it more closely! Excellent guitar as well.



The next two songs are worthy, "Mother of Iration" and "Stability", maybe more so for their musical flow than the lyrics, but you need to read those lyrics to get the words down, "Stability" contains the soccer/football reference "The ball is so round and everyone wants a goal, first thing is the control Then you use your instep for sure"... good, I and I and maybe the Reggae Boyz (the nickname of Jamaica's National Soccer/Football team) will take the advice!



"Dread to be Rasta (Nyabinghi Breach)", immortalizes by mentioning in the song "Rasta was born in 1930 by the great patriot Leonard Howell"; a catchy rhythm and chorus, "You haffe to dread to be a Rasta ..." ; one that at times, has even made me teary eyed, but in a joyful way...



"Prophesy" constitutes another meritorious contribution of song work with some pulsating bassline. A religious type of feeling as are some other songs on the album "Colour of our skin may be different, blood color never change, we all come from the same Father, we just call him a different name"; it may be important to remember these lines, calling for unity and harmony rather than division. "Proselyte" likewise is in your more spiritual tone.



"Bone Alone" as I have stated previously, I heard for the first time when it was playing in the other room and it made me think of the voice of Peter Tosh and some of his songs like "Peace Treaty" with traditional Jamaican music sounds; how we need Peter; and to remember him too.



"Unfair game" is along with "Dread to be a Rasta" the best songs on the album, "I'm gonna shout about it everyday, tell the world about it cause it's the right thing to do", great song, rhythm, the only thing I wonder about at times, is if the overall music, etc. is greater than the individual lines.



It is worth mentioning Andrew Bees, lead vocals on much of the album are very marvelous, at times, reminding me of Michael Rose's vocalizing in making the Black Uhuru sound. I haven't heard every Black Uhuru album in the post Rose era, but I do think this is the best one and would be a worthy addition to any reggae library. Earl "Chinna" Smith, a talented guitarist who appeared on "Bush Doctor" by Peter Tosh appears on this release as well. This is worth mentioning because it seems he had not been heard of as frequently in recent years, his solos as on "Top of the pops" are worth a listening to.



Worth a mention are the seemingly ancient photos of murals, that adorn the CD's liners and the CD itself which is kind of a "Last Supper" Motif along with a photo of the Crown of H.I.M. Haile Sellasie which can be seen on the cover.



What are my qualifications for saying some of these things? I listened to reggae in hy school and college; but afterwards, fate has brought me to play soccer/football with a group of Ethiopians; I was blessed to even be able to wear the Green, Yellow and Red in one Tournament; I humbly say, Thanks to the Most High."