ALBUM: Anthem (1983)
MVC Rating: 4.0/$$
You’ve got to have money to make money, sings the lead vocalist Michael Rose on Anthem. Not sure how successful they are/were, but Black Uhuru was definitey looking to cross over here. The Jamaican group had significant reggae cred already.
This album is smooth, some dub, high production values, legendary bottom. And the lyrics, well, the album is called Anthem and has songs called What is Life, Botanical Roots and Solidarity. I think they are going down the traditional reggae road here.
When I first heard Bob Marley, it was like hearing Dylan or the Beatles for the first time. So different, so compelling. I have a few of his albums, (although whomever borrowed my Natty Dread record, I’d like it back now. It was my favorite and I can’t find it.) I also like Jimmy Cliff. The soundtrack to the movie ‘The Harder They Come’ is a good place to start,as an introduction to Cliff or reggae music in general.
Back to Black Uhuru, this album, crying out to expand their audience, is very good. I give it a thumbs up.
And I especially want to note the ‘bottom’ of all this: Robbie Shakespeare on bass and Sly Dunbar on drums are a legendary rhythm machine. And you just get a taste here. Check out Sly and Robbie, a mostly instrumental ‘solo’ album if you want to get into a groove. This ‘promotional copy’ I have includes a publicity photo and 4-page press release.
Counting down my 678 vinyl records before I die of brain disease.