Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Black Uhuru

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heartbeat / Pgd
• ASIN: B0000003Y1
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,936 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply One Of The Best EVER!, January 24, 2001

By A Customer

I was going to name this review "One Of The Best Reggae Albums EVER!", but why? This truly is one of the best collections of songs ever recorded by any band regardless of musical style. On this 1981 effort, Michael Rose and company offer a stunning hybrid of roots-rocking and rub-a-dub reggae styles not heard before that time or in the twenty years since. Each of the CD's seven cuts are intense musically and political lyrically. Often that is the formula for a dark and/or depressing output. However, the uncanny hooks to each of these songs keep the listener's mood upbeat.

The CD's first two cuts, Shine Eye Gal and Leaving To Zion, remind us that Black Uhuru is a vocal group. The emotional yet smooth lead from Rose is rivaled only by the late Puma Jones and Duckie Simpson's crisp backing vocals. The haunting General Penitentiary is a fine song in its own right, and also acts as an effective prelude to the title track (the CD's strongest track?). Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (the song) makes no reference to the Sidney Poitier movie of the same name. Instead it speaks of Jah Rastafari and the herb that keeps his people together. In fact, the strange sound effect in the background sounds almost like the bubbling sound made by a water bong when it is smoked. The final three tracks all feature the distinct, dub heavy rhythm section of the CD's producers, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Sheakespeare.

Though I would not recommend this CD to a person just starting to discover reggae music, I cannot recommend it enough to you reggae veterans! One listen is all it will take! - fpr.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ultra-tuff reggae, October 23, 2002

By	Pamela A. Middings "Pam Middings" (San Ramon, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album, along with Sinsemilla and Red, is one of the best of the Michael-Duckie-Puma glory years....the first four songs in particular are wonderful, they set a mood that gets you outta whatever lame one you were in prior....soulful vocals augmented by Sly and Robbie's great riddims! Fans of real reggae must have!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guess Who's CD is on point?, July 1, 2000

By A Customer

One of my favorites! If tomorrow I was "Leaving To Zion," I would take this CD with me! "Shine Eye Gal," "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "Plastic Smile," - how could you not enjoy this CD. Great for road trips or just kickin' back at home. The blending of the voices of Michael, Duckie and Puma are phenomenal. Once you've heard Michael's distinctive sound, you'll never forget it. Black Uhuru was one of reggae's tighest bands! Puma is surely missed!