"Several years ago Rolling Stone magazine ranked this album better than any of Bob Marley's in a list of the 100 best albums of all time. That is debatable. But this CD rightly deserves the credit it's due, and shouldn't be overlooked. The themes deal with everyday life in Jamaica. Sly and Robbie are at their best laying down tight rthyms. Sensimilla is along the same lines as this. Both are crucial reggae CDs."
"What a Joy to Hear the Utterance of a Rasta . . ."
Rich Latta | Albuquerque, NM - Land of Entitlement | 06/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in - this is one of my favorite reggae bands and RED is one of their best. What puts this reggae above many others is the masterful pop craftsmanship and the first-rate melodies. If you're looking for some raw roots reggae, you might want to look elsewhere. Not only is RED great reggae, it's expertly produced pop music. The standout tracks are clearly "Sponji Reggae" and "Utterance," but the whole record is most worthy.
An interesting side note: "uhuru" is Swahili for "freedom," so the band's name means "black freedom.""
One of the very best.
Madrok | 12/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the best reggae albums ever. Rose was at the peak of his form in 1981. His phrasing, emotion is incomparable. Extra tracks? From hearing the samples, there is only one: "Trodding" is the dub version of "Rockstone"."
A Little Overrated
Dartanyan Winston | Redford (Detroit), MI | 02/19/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I like Black Uhuru's Red just like the next person but I think this album gets a little too much credit for an album that doesn't even match them in their prime. Rumor has it that after Bob Marley died, everyone began turning their heads towards Black Uhuru ironically at the time they were making Red. I say they started turning their heads a year late. Unlike their previous album Sinsemilla, this album tends to lack a change of mood for each song, they all pretty much sound the same! Now don't get me wrong, Youth Of Elington, Sponji Reggae, Utterance, and the two songs that never get the respect they deserve Sistren and Puff She Puff are great. Over all though, the album really doesn't do any justice, but it is, however, worth having in your Reggae collection. Overall I'll give it a B+.
-D.J."
Almost, the best Black Uhuru
Jason H. | SC | 07/31/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While this album is one of Black Uhuru's best, I don't consider it THE best("Sinsemilla" get's that honor to me). But it is definately one of the first ones any reggae collection needs in it. If you want a good Black Uhuru album you can't go wrong with Red, just don't forget to buy "Sinsemilla" also."