Liberation: The Island Anthology

by Black Uhuru

Overview

During the band's heyday in the late '70s and early '80s, Black Uhuru was one of the most unique and influential reggae bands in the world. This was partly due to their distinctive vocal sound -- which was dominated by the keening wail of Michael Rose and the haunting harmonies of American expatriate Puma Jones -- but in large part it was also due to their backing band, which was led by the legendary drum-and-bass duo of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare and was one of the few that could challenge the Wailers in terms of telepathic tightness and sheer rhythmic wallop. Liberation goes one better than most retrospective compilations: instead of simply collecting two discs' worth of previously released singles and selected album tracks, it takes familiar songs (such as the anthemic "I Love King Selassie" and the apocalyptic "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner") and presents them in live versions, early mixes, 12" "showcase" versions (wherein the dub mix follows without a break on the heels of the vocal mix), and more. Little of this material is actually rare, and a good chunk of it actually does consist of standard singles and album tracks. But the rarities are plentiful enough to please fans, while the two-disc program is comprehensive enough to serve as a fine overview for beginners. Highlights abound, but they particularly include the showcase version of "Darkness" and the 12" mix of "Sponji Reggae." Excellent. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	09/21/1993
Label:	Mango
UPC:	0731451828225

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Black Uhuru   Primary Artist
Radcliffe Bryan   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Bernie Worrell   Clavinet
Darryl Thompson   Guitar
Keith Sterling   Piano,Keyboards
Barry Reynolds   Guitar
David Madden   Trumpet
Robbie Shakespeare   Bass,Piano
Wally Badarou   Vocoder,Synthesizer
Robert Lyn   Piano,Keyboards
Nambo Robinson   Trombone
Ansel Collins   Piano,Keyboards
Uziah "Sticky" Thompson   Percussion
Willie Lindo   Guitar
Sky Juice   Percussion
Franklyn Waul   Keyboards
Dean Fraser   Saxophone
Bertram "Ranchie" McLean   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Mikey Chung   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Chico Chin   Trumpet
Sly Dunbar   Drums,Syndrum
Jimmy Becker   Harmonica

Technical Credits

Robbie Shakespeare   Guest Artist,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Remixing,Executive Producer
Sly Dunbar   Guest Artist,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Remixing,Executive Producer
Bernie Worrell   Guest Artist
Mark Weinberg   Package Design
Derrick "Duckie" Simpson   Composer
Steven Stanley   Producer
Black Uhuru   Producer
Tom Terrell   Liner Notes
Johnny Marr   Composer
George Harrison   Composer
Joseph M. Palmaccio   Remastering
Rick James   Composer
Michael Rose   Composer
Bryan Ferry   Composer
Harry Weinger   Liner Notes,Compilation Producer
Godwin Logie   Mixing
Winston "Niney" Holness   Composer
Gary N. Mayo   Digital Transfers
Sylvester Stewart   Composer
Steven Van Zandt   Composer
Bill Levenson   Executive Producer
Chris Blackwell   Executive Producer
M. Rose   Composer
Adrian Boot   Photography
Paul "Groucho" Smykle   Mixing,Dub Mixing
Sly Stone   Composer
Derrick Simpson   Composer
Trevor Wyatt   Executive Producer
Lynn Goldsmith   Photography
Lister Hewan Lowe   Executive Producer
Paul Slattery   Photography
Terri Tierney   Coordination
Pete Murphy   Photography
Claire Hershman   Photography
Copeland Forbes   MC