Customer Reviews

Black Sounds of Freedom

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Critics always fall over themselves to praise B.U.'s Red album (also an excellent record), but Black Sounds of Freedom is without a doubt Black Uhuru's finest moment and one of the best Reggae albums ever. Made early on before Puma Jones joined the band, this is more roots oriented and does not have the dance rythems and programmed drums of some of their early-80s material. The record has a great flow, with tight musicianship and emotional vocals. All the songs are outstanding, including a cover of Bob Marley's "Natural Mystic". Also note that the band recorded versions of Eden Out Deh, Satan Army Band, Willow Tree and Time to Unite on later albums. You can't go wrong with this record.

Black Uhuru is a vocal trio formed by Don Carlos, Duckie Simpson and Garth Dennis. But the group is best known from the days in which Michael Rose was responsible for the lead vocals. Many, many have comne to apprecilove Reggae Music by the works of Black Uhuru. This album is no different, it's a real gem in a collection of jewelry!
Black Sounds Of Freedom contains ten beautifull Roots Reggae tracks provided by Prince Jammy's. They're recorded in the days that Michael Rose just joined Black Uhuru. The sounds are really crucial: driven by the innovative drumming of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare's solid basslines, and mixed by the mighty Prince Jammy. It contains the reggae classic "I Love King Selassie" and a very beautiful cover from Bob Marley's "Natural Mystic".

Originally this album was released in 1977 as a debut album and entitled Love Crisis, but it was re-released in 1981, this time it containing different drums and also the mixes were different. Many drum rhythms have changed from One Drops to Steppers beats.

I would like to add some special notes about Sly Dunbar's drumming on the album. I think that he is using very progressive steppers beats, on most tracks of the album at least. It's a true blessing to listen to his drumming and trying to follow it with the ear and heart.

Yes I! I agree, this album is a real gem. Definitely more rootsy and not many know the I love King selassie besides Jamaicans. That song is a scorcher! True dread itality. Their other material under the hand of the venerable Monsieurs Sly and Robbie is awesome, but the cd will give real sense of Uhuru's roots. Irie I.