The first line-up of the group was Garth Dennis, Don Carlos, and Derrick "Duckie" Simpson. The group has undergone several lineup changes: Carlos left, replaced by Michael Rose; then Dennis left to play with The Wailing Souls, and was replaced by Errol Nelson. During this early period, the band's most famous recording is the album entitled Love Crisis, later rereleased as Black Sounds Of Freedom. In 1979 the group was joined by Sandra "Puma" Jones, a social worker from North Carolina, USA. Under this lineup, (Rose, Simpson and Jones), with Sly & Robbie as producers (and also permanently employed on drum and bass), they released the band's most popular albums: Sinsemilla, Red, Chill Out, and the Grammy-winning Anthem¹, as well as others. During this period, Black Uhuru became one of the most popular reggae groups in the world, regularly touring with the likes of The Police and The Rolling Stones. Live 1984 (a concert at the Rockpalast in Germany, but was actually recorded on October 18, 1981) captures the band at the height of its powers.
After Rose went solo in 1985, Junior Reid joined for a few records and also left; Puma Jones left in 1987 (and died of cancer three years later, in 1990). In 1990, Simpson reunited with Dennis and Carlos in the original line-up of the group. They recorded several albums and toured extensively. By the end of the 90's, Dennis and Carlos left the band and fought a legal battle against Simpson over the name Black Uhuru. Simpson won the lawsuit and formed yet another incarnation of Black Uhuru with Andrew Bees as lead singer. Only one album, Dynasty, was released before Bees left the group.
In February 2004, it was announced in the Jamaican press that Simpson and Michael Rose had re-united under the name "Black Uhuru feat. Michael Rose". Together with a female backing singer named Kay Starr, they released a single, "Dollars" and performed at several concerts including "Western Consciousness 2004" on April 28 in Jamaica, of which a live video was released shortly thereafter. A new album has been reported to be in progress.
== Discography ==
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Michael Rose, Errol "Tarzan" Nelson'
*1977 - 'Love Crisis'
*1981 - 'Black Sounds of Freedom' ("Love Crisis" reedition)
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Michael Rose, Sandra "Puma" Jones'
*1979 - 'Showcase'
*1980 - 'Black Uhuru'
*1980 - 'Sinsemilia'
*1981 - 'Red'
*1982 - 'Chill Out'
*1983 - 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner' ("Black Uhuru" reedition)
*1983 - 'Anthem'
'Group: Derrick Simpson, Delroy "Junior" Reid, Sandra "Puma" Jones'
*1986 - 'Brutal'
*1987 - 'Positive' (Puma Jones replaced Olafunke)
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Garth Dennis, Don Carlos'
*1990 - 'Now'
*1991 - 'Iron Storm'
*1993 - 'Mystical truth'
*1994 - 'Strongg'
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Jenifah Nyah, Andrew Bees'
*1998 - 'Unification'
*2001 - 'Dynasty'
'Live / Dub albums:'
*1982 - 'Uhuru in Dub'
*1982 - 'Tear It Up - Live' (album and video)
*1983 - 'The Dub Factor'
*1986 - 'Brutal Dub'
*1987 - 'The Positive Dub'
*1988 - 'Live'
*1988 - 'Live In New York City'
*1990 - 'Now Dub'
*1990 - 'Love Dub' ("Uhuru In Dub" reedition)
*1992 - 'Iron Storm Dub'
*1993 - 'Mystical Truth Dub'
*1994 - 'Strongg Dubb'
*2000 - 'Live 1984'
*2001 - 'In Dub'
*2001 – 'Dubbin'It Live' (summer 2001, at Paléo Festival)
Journey
Black Uhuru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On journey so far away to make a
living to see what I could achieve
I saw city state
Places of all human races
They are standing in front of I and I
Working scientifical
advancement to corrupt the mind
Thinking of all the benefits there of
I and I humble lion chant Mount Zion
I am at a pace
Why you scrabbing my face
Some must see they can earn
Cause I and I Black Uhuru
stand fine burn
Brimstone burn brimstone burn
Trodding the other day on a
journey so far away away
Trying to make a living to see
what I can achieve
For the benefits of my grief
I saw men worklng seientifical
advancement to corrupt the mind
Babylon is their little way
Brimstone burn brimstone burn
Everything is trial
Brimstone burn brimstone
The lyrics to Black Uhuru's song "Journey" illustrates a journey taken by the singer in search of a better livelihood and to see what they could achieve. As they trod on this journey, they came across cities and states where people of all races reside. The singer saw people working scientifically towards the advancement of civilization yet resulted in corrupting the mind - a typical reference to Babylon's system. Babylon, in this sense, indicates the oppressive societal norms that have been put in place to prevent the progress of the Black race.
The chorus of the song, "Brimstone burn, brimstone burn," could be seen as a form of lamentation. The singer sees the world's evils and the destructive nature of Babylon's ways, and hence, the need for a divine intervention. The phrase "Brimstone burn" is commonly used in the Bible to suggest the wrath of God upon sinners or a place of eternal torment. The singer, therefore, seeks for the wrath of God upon the unjust systems and unethical practices in the world.
In summary, "Journey" by Black Uhuru embodies the struggles of Black people to make a living, to achieve their dreams, and the obstacles they face on their journey. Babylon's oppressive systems have resulted in the corrupt nature of society, leading to a lamentation and the need for divine intervention.
Line by Line Meaning
Trodding the other day
Walking the other day
On journey so far away to make a living to see what I could achieve
On a distant journey to earn a living and discover personal potential
I saw city state
I saw cities and states
Places of all human races
Places populated by people of all races
They are standing in front of I and I
People are standing in front of me
Working scientifical advancement to corrupt the mind
Working on scientific advancements that could lead to mental corruption
Babylon in their little way
Undermining society in small but significant ways
Thinking of all the benefits there of
Reflecting on the benefits of one's efforts
I and I humble lion chant Mount Zion
My spiritual self humbly chants about Mount Zion
I am at a pace
I am moving at a certain speed
Why you scrabbing my face
Why are you bothering me?
Some must see they can earn
Some must realize they can make money
Cause I and I Black Uhuru stand fine burn
Because I and I as Black Uhuru will stand with great passion
Brimstone burn brimstone burn
A call to action against corruption
Trodding the other day on a journey so far away away
Walking on a distant journey
Trying to make a living to see what I can achieve
Trying to earn a living while discovering personal potential
For the benefits of my grief
For the eventual rewards of my struggles
I saw men worklng seientifical advancement to corrupt the mind
I saw men working on scientific advancements that could lead to mental corruption
Babylon is their little way
Undermining society in small but significant ways
Brimstone burn brimstone burn
A call to action against corruption
Everything is trial
Everything is an experiment
Brimstone burn brimstone
A call to action against corruption
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN LEE HOOKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@douglasdreit1429
Trodding the other day
On journey so far away to make a
living to see what I could achieve
I saw city state
Places of all human races
They are standing in front of I and I
Working scientifical
advancement to corrupt the mind
Babylon in their little way
Thinking of all the benefits there of
I and I humble lion chant Mount Zion
I am at a pace
Why you scrabbing my face
Some must see they can earn
Cause I and I Black Uhuru
stand fine burn
Brimstone burn brimstone burn
Trodding the other day on a
journey so far away away
Trying to make a living to see
what I can achieve
For the benefits of my grief
I saw men worklng seientifical
advancement to corrupt the mind
Babylon is their little way
Brimstone burn brimstone burn
Everything is trial
Brimstone burn brimstone
@jeffreychaves2070
this reggae is really mystic
@hardytall8386
This song makes me cry when I rember in the 80s
@donwilliamandwilsonshow
I WAS16 1987......FOREVER
🎩BLACK UHURU, R.I.P. BEAUTY🎩.....
@dr.matululuphillipnyahoda4570
Great track from a excellent album. Fond memories of the great Black Uhuru.
@worriestrouble838
Omg puma's voice !!!!
@Bio54633
I was dancing to this as a teenager more than thirty years ago... and I'm still moving to it now...
@donwilliamandwilsonshow
SO TRUE❤
@juniorjack226
Foundation!!!
@oliverswenson2470
Just found this. love it man ✌
@lawrencenjawe1935
Uhuru at their peak. not the bland stuff they offer these times. long live Michael rose