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)
Shine Eye Gal
Black Uhuru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
I arise early looking some tea, rise early
Looking for the daughter but she noh on ya
I take a walk down the street
De gal deh pan corner weh push mouth lorna
And her bed no spread
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
The next day she want I to take a route
Take her to the beach party
Feeling everything would be irie
Wrinkles on her face
Like the things Ive done she dont appreciate
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
She wants wants have noh when she really really getty
Rastafari Know she cant take it
She said natty turn off your light
Give me dreadlock whe you give me first night
So I say
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
The song "Shine Eye Gal" by Black Uhuru speaks of the troubles that a man faces when involved with a particular woman. The term 'Shine Eye Gal' refers to a woman who is too demanding and who always wants more. The song begins with the singer looking for his daughter, who is not at home. He takes a walk down the street and spots a woman, who is probably the aforementioned Shine Eye Gal. She is standing at the corner of the street, with her hair unkempt, and her bed not made properly.
The next day, Shine Eye Gal asks the singer to take her to a beach party. He obliges, hoping that everything would be fine. However, he notices that she has wrinkles on her face, making him regret his decision. She does not appreciate anything he does for her and always wants more, even when she knows that she cannot handle it. The woman demands that he turns off his lights and gives her the kind of dreadlock that he gave her on their first night together.
The song is a commentary on relationships that are built on superficial traits such as physical appearance or material wealth. It conveys the message that one should choose a partner based on their character rather than their external appearance. The song warns that getting involved with Shine Eye Gal would only lead to trouble.
Line by Line Meaning
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Repeated statement that highlights the troubles and issues caused by a particular type of woman who is referred to as a Shine Eye Gal.
I arise early looking some tea, rise early
I woke up early in the morning and got out of bed looking for some tea to drink.
Looking for the daughter but she noh on ya
I was searching for a girl, but she was not around.
I take a walk down the street
I went for a stroll down the street.
De gal deh pan corner weh push mouth lorna
I saw a particular girl on the corner who was known for her vulgar language and offensive behavior.
And her bed no spread
It is implied that the girl is promiscuous and her bed is always empty, meaning she is always with different men.
The next day she want I to take a route
The next day she wanted me to take her somewhere.
Take her to the beach party
She wanted me to take her to a party at the beach.
Feeling everything would be irie
She had a positive outlook and believed everything would be great.
Wrinkles on her face
Her face showed the signs of aging and experience.
Like the things Ive done she dont appreciate
She did not appreciate the things I had done for her or the efforts I had made.
She wants wants have noh when she really really getty
She wants to have things that she cannot afford.
Rastafari Know she cant take it
Even though she claims to follow the Rastafari ideology, she cannot handle the reality of it.
She said natty turn off your light
She asked me to turn off my light.
Give me dreadlock whe you give me first night
She wanted me to give her the same experience as our first night together, where I had worn dreadlocks.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GORDON, ROSE, SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@123ubuntu666
We all love Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer.
The thing with Black Uhuru is a different kind of thing. They didn't quite have the songs that Bob did - almost - but not quite. What they had was a bang on production team and rhythm section in Sly and Robbie. Add to that some very edgy musicians who could play very well, some top-notch recording studios courtesy of Chris Blackwell (Island) and you have a heady mix before the herb is even added.
Don't forget that they came around at a time when recording technology was taking off. They were making best use of it. They were advanced really for their day. Not least because of the love of delay and echo and reverb in dub productions. They were in a real element of their own. This is why the recordings sound so great today and have stood the test of time.
And don't forget the political commentary of the time. It was a bit too close to the bone. They didn't just carry the torch for all the black oppression that many black singers and bands had been talking about. They real-talked it and white boys and girls could really relate to their real world view.
It was all too much really. But it's there to be discovered. It will still be standing in 20 or even 200 years time.
@joesolese
I used to drive out in South Texas and when I would hit those long lonely highways I would blast Black Uhuru!!!! At night the eeriness of the highway would mellow and this song was my companion. I felt at ease
@Sheeeetapha
Wow-what a great memory-I got it in my head just now!!!-Peace ;)
@lvi8957
👌😍 wow !! ✊ 🌠🌠✨ ✌💋👑
@bexleydragon5294
@@Sheeeetapha ear worm! 😀
@Soli_Deo_Gloria_.
Some of the best not only reggae ever created, but some of the best music across all genres.
I too have enjoyed their music for decades on some of the best road trips of my life.
God bless you and yours brother in these strange and difficult times we are living.
@elywananda
The more the years go by, the more elegant and powerful these tunes become.
@Tonythepostman1
Now 54, and this tune still has the hairs on my neck back, stood up.
@fourutubez7294
Snap
@Adelaide_Mackenzie
Great musicianship #amacsings
@peterericson8170
We are the true reggae fan generation. 57ish here.