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)
Plastic Smile
Black Uhuru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
Take you face from the ground girl, stop wearing frown
I'm not a clown that laughs and jokes, while my structure in smoke
Every man is born of truth, in the natural birth
The things that the 'fari say to do now shows what life really worth
Dont' show I, Don't show I no teeth, teeth can't work
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
She mummy came from a foreign land, with a whole lot of babylon
Now you gone a lucky land
Girl! You've got to prove she lion!
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
You mummy been saying that, woh oh!
When you reach a foreign land
You a get a future paradise
But that noh right, that noh right, that noh right, in a Jah Jah sight
[Michael Rose signature sound]
A weh she say. She really say. She a say.
A weh she really tell Suzy (so she ?) say.
Dont' show I, Don't show I no teeth, teeth can't work
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
You mu...[Michael Rose signature sound]
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
[Dub featuring Sly & Robbie]
The lyrics to Black Uhuru's "Plastic Smile" focus on the idea of being true to oneself and avoiding the façade of a fake persona. The repeated phrase "Don't show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work" emphasizes the idea that pretending to be happy or content through a superficial smile cannot actually change the reality of a situation. The singer implores the subject to lift their face and stop wearing a frown, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging one's emotions and facing them head-on.
The lines "Every man is born of truth, in the natural birth / The things that the 'fari say to do now shows what life really worth" highlight the influence of Rastafarianism on the lyrics. The 'fari is a reference to the Rastafarian belief in Haile Selassie as a messianic figure, and the lyrics suggest that following Rastafarian teachings can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
The final lines of the song mention a parent's belief that moving to a foreign land will lead to a "future paradise," but the singer asserts that this is not necessarily true in the eyes of Jah (a reference to God in Rastafarianism). Overall, the lyrics stress the importance of being true to oneself and one's values, and avoiding the trap of a plastic smile that cannot change one's circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
Hiding your true emotions behind a fake smile is not going to work
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
Repeating the first line to emphasize that a plastic smile is not a sincere expression
Take you face from the ground girl, stop wearing frown
Lift up your head and stop being sad or depressed
I'm not a clown that laughs and jokes, while my structure in smoke
I am not someone who makes jokes during tough times when everything is falling apart
Every man is born of truth, in the natural birth
Everyone is born with genuine feelings and emotions
The things that the 'fari say to do now shows what life really worth
Following the guidance of Rastafarianism reveals the true value of life
She mummy came from a foreign land, with a whole lot of babylon
Her mother came from a place that represents oppression and injustice
Now you gone a lucky land
She has gone to a better place, perhaps in search of a brighter future
Girl! You've got to prove she lion!
She needs to prove that she is strong and fierce like a lion
You mummy been saying that, woh oh!
Her mother has been telling her that she will find a better life in a foreign land
When you reach a foreign land, You a get a future paradise
The idea that going to a foreign land automatically means finding a better life is not necessarily true
But that noh right, that noh right, that noh right, in a Jah Jah sight
This idea goes against the principles of Rastafarianism and is not acceptable in the eyes of Jah
[Michael Rose signature sound]
Musical interlude
A weh she say. She really say. She a say.
What did she say? What did she really say? Repeat
A weh she really tell Suzy (so she ?) say.
What did she really tell Suzy? Repeat
Dont' show I, Don't show I no teeth, teeth can't work
Repeating the message that fake smiles do not solve any problems
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
Again stressing that fake expressions are not the solution
You mu...[Michael Rose signature sound]
Musical interlude
Dont' show I yuh teeth, plastic smile can't work
Repeating the message that a genuine smile is more effective than a fake one
[Dub featuring Sly & Robbie]
Instrumental version of the song featuring Sly & Robbie
Contributed by Aria T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@keithyrudeboy007
As a young white working class British male, I fell in love with the roots music of bands like Black Uhuru. They brought consciousness to the masses. To me Black Uhuru was one of the best conscious reggae bands out there.
@lb6135
Me too, except I'm Canadian. Today I'm listening to Black Uhuru and thinking about how humanity is still fighting the same problems of racism and social and economic injustice of 25 even 50 years ago. The age of Trump sucks!!!
@Jiulize
✊🏿✊🏿
@themessenger9765
Not only that -in Mikael Rose you have a very humble brother I remember back in 1985 we met this brother in a lift going to see Bunny Wailer in his hotel room in Paddington London UK, we were doing a sponsored walk -( to raise funds to bring a sick young Ethiopian girl for a life saving heart operation at the world famous papworth hospital in cambridge ) Micheal did not hesitate to donate all royalities ( 1000 pounds).. A great person who assist people.Lots of respet and time for him always unlike many others who just carry locks yet are fakes.
@majorleaguelag
No matter the race/ethnicity/nationality of anyone, just enjoy the music 🙏
@leashabritish6702
Yes facts
@tylerjohncreeganharris6835
This track is a time machine it took me flying back to the late 90s I had it on a reggae mix cd when I was 17 and smoke in weed in my room..before life becàme lost....back to the future today after many mistakes and success, and God's grace here I sit blessed
@samuelsoares3559
Im 17 now smoking weed in my room, what change in life that is so bad that every adult talk about??
@Daniel_25
@@samuelsoares3559 work, bills, fall in love, heartbreak, people you love die and new ones get born into the world. Life, that’s what changes. For better or for worse, shit gets real
@lennoxlindsay7282
Once you love reggae...you always love reggae....been listening to reggae for close to 50 years!!!.