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)
Sinsemilla
Black Uhuru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Growing in my backyard
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
Don't cut down the cali tree
'Cause it makes the best tea for me
"I've seen" doctor said it gives naturally
A lot of food
To survive and go to in Babylon
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
Yes I've walked the streets and seen children downtown
Begging everyone they see and it hurt me
It can't be right what this world do for the youth
And the little herb I'm selling they want to capture me
I and I don't cherish wickedness
Because it's none profit to I and I
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
Anything that is none profit
I and I don't take for it
Pass it, pass it
All over I and I
No need to fret, what I and I shall offer you
'Cause life's indefinite
Ooh oh oh
For a little moss
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
There is a red house over yonder
Full of marijuana
I've been sitting on the corner
Chatting up with the farmer
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
Free the herb
Free the herb
Heal the nation
Heal the sick
Sail sail under the earth
With the rich
We have to think what people want in life
Some of us going on like we don't want a thing in life
So we going 'round like we're
No, no, I'd rather go share
Stalk of sinsemilla
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
People, that's what they mention, some are rewarded
The lyrics of Black Uhuru's song Sinsemilla discuss the benefits and consequences of growing and using marijuana, also known as sinsemilla. The first two lines of the song state that the singer has a stalk of sinsemilla growing in their backyard. The following lines reveal that the singer is aware of the potential monetary value of the plant, as well as its medicinal benefits. The lyrics advise against cutting down the "cali" tree, which may refer to the cannabis plant or a specific strain of it that is grown in California.
The chorus emphasizes the presence of the sinsemilla in the singer's backyard and indicates that it is both practical and significant to him. The following verses express the singer's concern for underprivileged children and their treatment in society. The line "And the little herb I'm selling they want to capture me" suggests that the singer is aware of the legal consequences of selling marijuana in society, but also hints at his willingness to take risks despite it. The final verse encourages the sharing and healing properties of the herb, emphasizing its potential to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
The singer has a plant of high-quality marijuana growing in his yard.
Don't cut down the cali tree
'Cause it makes the best tea for me
"I've seen" doctor said it gives naturally
One thing this doctor will need
A lot of food
To survive and go to in Babylon
The cali tree should not be cut down because it produces the best marijuana. The doctor who spoke about the benefits of marijuana will need to eat a lot of food to survive during the difficult times ahead.
Yes I've walked the streets and seen children downtown
Begging everyone they see and it hurt me
It can't be right what this world do for the youth
And the little herb I'm selling they want to capture me
I and I don't cherish wickedness
Because it's none profit to I and I
The singer has seen children begging on the streets and is upset about the injustices they face. He feels it is wrong that authorities are more concerned with capturing marijuana dealers than helping these children. He does not condone any harmful actions.
Anything that is none profit
I and I don't take for it
Pass it, pass it
All over I and I
The singer does not engage in activities that do not benefit him. He encourages others to share what they have with everyone.
No need to fret, what I and I shall offer you
'Cause life's indefinite
Ooh oh oh
For a little moss
The singer is offering marijuana as a solution that can help people relax and enjoy life. Life is too short and unpredictable to worry about the small things.
There is a red house over yonder
Full of marijuana
I've been sitting on the corner
Chatting up with the farmer
There is a house nearby that has a lot of marijuana. The singer has been talking to the farmer who owns the house.
Free the herb
Free the herb
Heal the nation
Heal the sick
The singer believes that marijuana should be legalized because it has healing properties.
Sail sail under the earth
With the rich
We have to think what people want in life
Some of us going on like we don't want a thing in life
So we going 'round like we're
We should focus on what people really want in life instead of living life aimlessly. Some are pretending that they do not care about anything in life.
No, no, I'd rather go share
Stalk of sinsemilla
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
The singer would rather share his marijuana with others who need it.
I've got a stalk of sinsemilla
Growing in my backyard
The singer repeats the chorus to emphasize that he has high-quality marijuana growing in his yard.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LOWELL DUNBAR, ROBERT SHAKESPEARE, MICHAEL ROSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Genevieve Higgs
one of the best bands my mum grew me up with !!
@hugoenriqueruizsanchez8042
A where upon ya and out there international farmer
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
Don't cut down the cali tree
Cause it makes the best tea for me
I've seen doctors say it is naturally
One thing ¿¿this doctor/the structure?? will need
A lot of food
To survive and go through in Babylon
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
Yes, I've walked the streets and seen children downtown
Begging everyone they see and it hurt me
It can't be right for what this world do for the youths
And the little herb I'm selling, they want to capture me
I and I don't cherish wickedness
Because it's non-profit to I and I
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
Anything that is non-profit
I and I don't check for it
Fusses, fusses
All over I and I
No need to fret
'Cause I and I shall have - life in death
Oh whoa oh...
Poor little bush
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
There is a red house over yonder
Full of marijuana
I've been sitting on th'corner
Chatting up with informer
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
Free the herb, free the herb
Heal the nation, heal the sick
Sell, sell, the collie herb
To be rich, I think what one would want in life
Some of us going on like we don't want a thing in life
To be going 'round like worm
No, no
I'd rather to sell - stock a sensimillia
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
I've got a stalk of sensimillia
Grooming in my back yard
Peter Tosh was beaten and charged for marijuana
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@cheikhdiakhate7555
Cool reggae dub vivement les années 80.
@cindygardener-collinsmimi531
Once upon a time, long ago in the UK, when there were still clubs that had live bands I was fortunate enough to have seen Black Uhuru twice. Happy days!!!.
@cindygardener-collinsmimi531
& the band were kind enough to share their pure Jamaican bifters with me & my friends after they had finished their incredible set. They were very humbled by how many fans they had around the world.
@kristinwade2095
That's Awesome! I got to see Lee "Skratch" Perry before that Legend passed so recently. Wish I could have seen Black Uhuru so bad!
@lordjammyjammy3781
I’m from England and u r a fucking legend
@pablonator3000able
Thats monumental, an occurrence some of us can only dream of 💨
@cindygardener-collinsmimi531
@@pablonator3000able the 2nd time I saw them, me & my bestmate went outside for a 'smoke' with them after they had finished their set. That was pretty special & unforgettable
;0)
@lawrencenjawe1935
Michael Rose & Sly & Robbie, the heart & soul of Black Uhuru. Those were the days listening to Bob Marley, Burning Spear,Third World, Steel Pulse, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Culture, Pablo Moses, Israel Vibration & lots more.
@brianladder4710
Gwan!