Customer Reviews

Ultimate Collection

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a solid, one-disk compilation, but the "ultimate" title goes to the 1993 release "Liberation," a two-disk set that contains the original versions of the songs on the trio of Michael Rose-Puma Jones-Duckie Simpson's last album together as Black Uhuru, "Anthem." The album version was a poorly remixed affair, with most, if not all, the horns removed, and stripped down into a commercial mess and bad editing.
This compilation gets three stars because it's Black Uhuru, and a step above the low-price best-of previously issued. If you're looking for a one-disk best-of, perhaps "Ultimate Collection" is your bag of songs, but any time you have Junior Reid songs on a "Black Uhuru" best-of, that just means that many more less Michael Rose songs you have at your reach. The Island Record albums were recently rereleased and are a good choice if you want to have a more complete look at the band. "Liberation" has the essentials, but if you're a completist, then go for the Island Record catalog and get, most importantly, "Sensemilla," and "Red" -- and if you're still wanting more, get "Chill Out", "Dub Factor," and then "Liberation," which in comparison to "Ultimate Collection" gets a five-star.

Here it is...Finally an ULTIMATE COLLECTION that lives up to its name. Truly a well rounded collection packed with great music from beginning to end. I recommend, also, after picking this release up do some research on Black Uhuru before picking anything else up. Not all Black Uhuru is the same. I mean to say that there are different line ups for this band. I happen to appreciate and enjoy them all, but not everyone will appreciate all as I do. This one, however, is a great place to start. Get a feel for what ROOTS reggae is all about with this one and move forward from there. This review is mostly for the untrained reggae ear. All other reggae afficianados will realize that the following recommendations are for those who can't seem to get over the Bob Marley bridge. Read the review by Reviewer: jb_ceant from Weston, FL. Reggae doesn't end at Bob Marley. In fact, I recommend after picking this cd up, go and pick up CULTURE's ONE STONE, ISRAEL VIBRATION's ON THE ROCK, and BURNING SPEAR's (anything by burning spear) HAIL H.I.M.

I think that all of you people who have been afraid to venture deeper into the world of Roots Reggae will be very surprised to find that the magic Bob Marley possessed has been passed down to many worthy successors (even from some other predecessors). Caution: If you happen to purchase some sub-standard produced reggae cd please understand that there are plenty of them floating around. The early reggae scene was chock full of pirates and thieves when it came to music. Do your homework and steer clear of most compilation reggae...a sure way to be disappointed. (very rarely will you be happy with all of the artists on the compilation. most of the time you will be down right upset by being duped into buying the compilation...Just do your homework)

A few of the cd's I mentioned above are good ways to own some of the great works of roots without worrying about sub-standard production.

Sorry I'm off the beaten path, but I am here to help...Bottom Line. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the road to roots reggae happiness with this as your start point.

There are not many CDs that I can let play without skipping through some songs. This one however is one that I love every song on. It's great!

Black Uhuru, whose name comes from the Swahili word meaning "Freedom". This group was formed in the Waterhouse district of Kingston by Ervin "Don Carlos" Spencer, Rudolph "Garth" Denis and Derrick "Duckie" Simpson. The most successful of the second generation reggae bands, maintained their high quality sound despite numerous personnel changes in their sixteen year history.

This is the first reggae band to win a Grammy Award for their album "Anthem", and was hailed as the most dynamic and progressive reggae act of the '70s and '80s.

Highly recommend this CD from Hip-O Records to any listener who would like to feel good. Even if you're not a "reggae fan", give this album a serious listen, and who knows this "Ultimate Collection" could be for you!

Total Time: 77:53 on 17 Tracks/ Hip-O Records - 314 542 348 2 (2000)

I purchased this album strickly for "Guess Who's Comming To Dinner." However, upon hearing it in its entirety, I was impressed with the quality sound that these artists have developed. The lead singer and background vocals are awsome, and the music is spine tingling. This is a CD that makes for good listening. Put it on and just mellow out, yah no? "Guess Who" seems to be the signature song on this one for me, but you'll find the other songs interesting too. Black Uhuru has definitely joined the ranks of my favorite reggae artists! Enjoy!

Black Uhuru have got to be the best reggae group ever. I have most of their albums but couldn't resist buying this collection. It has my absolute favorite track "Endurance". Overall a pretty good choice of tracks to represent Black Uhuru at their finest, but why include the Junior Reid tracks, "Dread in the Mountain" and "Brutal"? They stick out a mile, Black Uhuru was Michael Rose as far as I'm concerned, Reid's voice sounds weak next to Rose. Sly & Robbie have never bettered the work they did with Black Uhuru, they are awesome here. I'd encourage anyone who wants to sample their work to try this, but as others have said, buy the albums.. Sinsemilla and Chill Out particularly are essentials.

Hey there fellow reggae lovers! If you are thinking about getting this CD, you are waisting too much time!! If you're interested enough to be reading this, you will surely be satisfied!

It regroups some of the finest Black Uhuru tunes. The best tracks there are 1 to 17. I personnaly was always a great fan of Bob Marley, but only got turned on to Black Uhuru about two years ago. Man was I mad I found out about them so late! If you enjoy uplifting, yet smooth, deep rhythms of reggae, this album is a sure Best Buy.

All in all, I'll tell you to stop reading and go ahead and buy this album. You won't regret it. That I promise you, on my CD collection!

I never bothered with this band in its 80s heyday, but I picked up this sampler recently, assuming it was really the ultimate word on them. Turns out, it's not, but it's pretty good anyway. If you don't know anything about this band, this will tell you most of what you need to know, mainly Sly & Robbie as the rhythm section, and the vocals by a guy and a girl. Its sound is 80s antiseptic, but that almost doesn't matter. Let it carry you away.

when i was little my dad always put on the reggae radio station on sunday mornings and i grew fond of the sound. later i stopped listening and then got fully into bob's legendary music. although i remain completely loyal to bob's genious i have recently crossed what a previous reviewer mentioned as the "bob marley bridge". i love roots reggae, and although i am generally against compilations (any true fan of music buys the artists original cds, as that is the original formation and progression of the songs), but compilations are a great way to start into a group and this compilation is one of the best i've heard. i love every single song. so if you are looking for a compilation... then this one is definately good. i only gave it four stars instead of five because i remain attached to original cds.

Enjoy the music on this very much, so do co-workers. One song, however has several repetitive skips therefore condition of CD received lower rating.