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. |
| 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. |
Solid compilation
Black Uhuru's Ultimate Collection
