Dynasty

Black Uhuru | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B00005OACO
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,170 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Album, February 14, 2009

By 

Mert Ertunga (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dynasty (Audio CD)

Sorry to the above reviewer, but in my opinion, Dynasty beats any Black Uhuru recording outside of M. Rose days (although I agree that Now was the best Don Carlos-involved Black Uhuru album, then again it was not hard to top mediocre albums like Strong and Mystical Truth).

Both Unification and Dynasty are the closest to original Black Uhuru sound that I have heard. With Brutal and Positive, it was still a good mix but nothing like "Black Sounds of Freedom", "Sinsemilla" or "Red". And then for several years, it was average stuff with the exception of Now.

Outside of the three above that I mentioned from the M. Rose days, both Unification and Dynasty are terrific.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Statement for the New Millenium!, March 19, 2004

By 

Tom Plum "TC" (Roswell, NM United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dynasty (Audio CD)

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.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff mon, June 5, 2002

By 

"jeffb47" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dynasty (Audio CD)

This is a wonderfully recorded album of true audiophile quality. It's as good as any Black Uhuru album and I'm shocked it hasn't gotten more attention. Sit back and toast the spacey sounds and listen to the rasta philosophy or get up and dance to the great reggae beat. Either way, if you're a fan of reggae and/or Black Uhuru buy this album.