Black Uhuru

小簡介
Black Uhuru為音樂屆最成功的第二代雷鬼團體,經過了16年,他們的名聲及創(chuàng)作品質確依然穩(wěn)固.因1983年的Anthem專輯讓他們成為第一個贏得格萊美獎的雷鬼團體.根據雷鬼的說法,Black Uhuru為1970年代到80年代早期最為鼓動也最為進步的一群人。
Black Uhuru的名字是來自Swahili,為自由的意思,使由Kingston, Waterhouse區(qū)的Ervin Spencer, Rudolph Dennis及Derrick Simpson所組成.當團體在簽約時遇到了許多困難,Spencer便離開獨自開創(chuàng)事業(yè),Dennis則加入了Wailing Soulsd,而剩下Simpson自己來完成Black Uhuru的革命,后來便重新組織團體,Errol Wilson及主唱Michael Rose相繼加入.由于有Sly Dunbar的Drums及Robbie Shakspear的Bass,讓Black Uhuru創(chuàng)作出了在雷鬼界的新指向.他們的首張專輯Love Crisis于1977年發(fā)行,包括了強力卡司‘I Love King Selassie'.3年后,這張專輯被重新混音,并以Black Sounds of Freedom作為專輯名。
后來又加上了歌手Sandra Jones的歌聲,使Black Uhuru成為當時最成功的團體(Sandra Jones是個Afro-American女性,畢業(yè)于哥倫比亞大學,在1981年曾為Mama Africa女性團體的團員之一).除了在錄音室錄制了一些另人難忘的專輯-Red及超級興奮得現(xiàn)場專輯-Tear It Up,團體也在1983發(fā)行了Anthem這張High到最高點的作品.重新混音又經過校正后的版本后發(fā)行到了美國,不久之后也發(fā)布到歐洲地區(qū).雖然這張專輯得到了格萊美獎,但內部的一些問題導致團員的分裂.Rose便被與有相似歌聲的Junior Reid多代替.Jones與Reid一起維持這個團體直到1989年.然后Reid因簽證的問題被迫離開巡回,Jones后來也因為癌癥導致身體的不適而被Olefunke取代,她于1990年1月28日因病去世在南加州的老家.原來的3個團員-Simpson, Spencer及Dennis重組后便在1990年一起發(fā)行專輯-Now.后來他們也以這楊的模式繼續(xù)演出至今。
by Craig Harris
The most successful of the second-generation reggae bands, Black Uhuru maintained their high quality despite numerous personnel changes in their 16-year history. The first reggae band to win a Grammy award, for their 1983 album Anthem, Black Uhuru was, according to Reggae: The Rough Guide, The most dynamic and progressive reggae act of the 1970s and early 80s.
Black Uhuru, whose name comes from the Swahili word meaning freedom, was formed in the Waterhouse district of Kingston by Ervin Don Carlos Spencer, Rudolph Garth Dennis, and Derrick Duckie Simpson. When the group experienced difficulties securing a record contract, Spencer left to pursue a solo career and Dennis joined the Wailing Souls. Simpson, who remained the thread throughout Black Uhurus evolution, reorganized the band with Errol Jay Wilson and quivery-voiced lead vocalist Michael Rose, compared by Trouser Press to a Rasta cantor. Accompanied by the rhythm section of Sly Dunbar on drums and Robbie Shakespear on bass, Black Uhuru created a sound that made them a match for any reggae ensemble. Their debut album, Love Crisis, released in 1977, included the anthemic hit I Love King Selassie. Three years later, the album was remixed and released as Black Sounds of Freedom.
With the addition of harmony singer Sandra Puma Jones, an Afro-American woman who held a masters degree from Columbia University and was a former member of the female group Mama Africa in 1981, Black Uhuru entered their most commercially successful period. In addition to recording a memorable studio album, Red, and an exciting live album, Tear It Up, the group reached its peak with the release of Anthem in 1983. Remixed and revised for release in the United States, the redone version was re-released in Europe shortly afterwards. Although the album received a Grammy, internal problems caused the band to splinter the following year. Rose was replaced by sound-alike Junior Reid. Jones and Reid remained with the band until 1989. Although Reid left when visa problems prevented him from touring, Jones, who was replaced by Olefunke, was forced to step down after being diagnosed with cancer. She died on January 28, 1990, and was buried in her home state of South Carolina. The original three members — Simpson, Spencer and Dennis — reunited to record a trio album, Now, in 1990. Theyve continued to tour and perform in this configuration.