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)
Utterance
Black Uhuru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
utterance of a Rasta (Repeat)
Long long ago
They use to say
Rastafari going around
taking little children away
But now tlme is at hand
saying was wrong
And that Rasta let them
know their homeland
And seek their culture
What a joy to hear the
utterance from a Rasta (Repeat)
I and I was granted
To drink from the fountain of life
I God will make I hold tight
I and I knee will not
wabble I and I
a V.I.P international
And now they putting
Rasta on the air
Before that they used
live in fear
What a joy to hear the
utterance of a Rasta (Repeat)
There is a way that
seemeth right to man
And yet in Jah Jah sight it wrong
It's not what you do is
how you do it
It's not what you say
but how you say it
You going be shot with shit
Go down In It
What a joy to hear the
utterance from a Rasta (Repeat)
The song "Utterance" by Black Uhuru celebrates the wisdom and guidance offered by Rastafarian culture. The repetition of the phrase "what a joy to hear the utterance of a Rasta" emphasizes the importance of listening to the words of those who have a deep understanding of the world and our place within it. The opening lines suggest that there was once a time when Rastafari were feared and misunderstood, with rumors circulating that they were taking children away. However, the singer asserts that these claims were false and that Rastafaris instead helped people to reconnect with their cultural heritage and understand their place in the world.
The second verse celebrates the singer's own experience of being granted access to the "fountain of life" and receiving divine guidance through Rastafari teachings. The lines "I and I knee will not wabble, / I and I a V.I.P international" suggest that the singer has developed a strong sense of self and purpose through their spiritual journey.
The final verse offers a moralistic message, suggesting that it's not just the actions we take but also the way we approach them that matters. The lines "It's not what you say but how you say it / You going be shot with shit" suggest that we will be judged according to our intentions and the energy we bring to the world.
Overall, "Utterance" is a celebration of spiritual wisdom and cultural pride, emphasizing the importance of listening to those who have a deep understanding of the world and our place within it.
Line by Line Meaning
What a joy to hear the
utterance of a Rasta (Repeat)
The singer expresses happiness at the words spoken by someone who follows Rastafarianism.
Long long ago
They use to say
Rastafari going around
taking little children away
But now tlme is at hand
I and I know those
saying was wrong
And that Rasta let them
know their homeland
And seek their culture
In the past, people used to spread rumors that Rastafarians would harm children. But now, the singer knows that this was incorrect and that Rastafarians actually help people learn about their culture and find their place in society.
I and I was granted
To drink from the fountain of life
I God will make I hold tight
I and I knee will not
wabble I and I
a V.I.P international
And now they putting
Rasta on the air
Before that they used
live in fear
The singer feels privileged to have access to knowledge, claiming that it is a gift from God. They declare that they will not be unstable or falter in their beliefs, and that Rastafarianism is now more accepted by society and not feared as it was in the past.
There is a way that
seemeth right to man
And yet in Jah Jah sight it wrong
It's not what you do is
how you do it
It's not what you say
but how you say it
You going be shot with shit
Go down In It
The artist warns that humans may think their actions are correct, but in the eyes of God they may be wrong. They emphasize that it is not just about what actions are taken or what is said, but the intention behind them is what matters. If someone does not have good intentions, they will have negative consequences.
What a joy to hear the
utterance from a Rasta (Repeat)
The artist reiterates their happiness in hearing meaningful words spoken by someone who follows Rastafarianism.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Rose
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@7428tony
Utterances Lyrics :
What a joy to hear the
utterance of a Rasta (Repeat)
Long long ago
They use to say
Rastafari going around
taking little children away
But now tlme is at hand
I and I know those
saying was wrong
And that Rasta let them
know their homeland
And seek their culture
What a joy to hear the
utterance from a Rasta (Repeat)
I and I was granted
To drink from the fountain of life
I God will make I hold tight
I and I knee will not
wabble I and I
a V.I.P international
And now they putting
Rasta on the air
Before that they used
live in fear
What a joy to hear the
utterance of a Rasta (Repeat)
There is a way that
seemeth right to man
And yet in Jah Jah sight it wrong
It's not what you do is
how you do it
It's not what you say
but how you say it
You going be shot with shit
Go down In It
What a joy to hear the
utterance from a Rasta (Repeat)
@alexkodwiw2640
What a Joy to hear the Utterance of a rasta!
Long long ago, they used to say
Rastafari going around taking little children away
But now their time is up and I n I know those sayings are wrong
Now rasta make them know their homeland and see their culture!
What a Joy! to hear the Utterance from a rasta!
True dat! and powerful that
All the lies about Rastafaris revealed to be sheer spiteful hate of the peaceful Rastas. Peace to earth!
@ThePanospeter1986
no one played reggae like sly and robbie most tightest tune in reggae history!! these guys were sooo majestic musicianship is just beyond words...
@perryvalton4245
So true drum and bass
@chrisbooth9332
I've been listening to roots reggae for so long now. I can't believe I've never heard this song... my eyes are tearing up right now.
@waiganjokelvin2283
Can't believe I found it!!
@ariel_monaco
So many years passed and I still love this song. Greatest band ever Black Uhuru!
@curtismyers9618
black uhuru has so many great songs. this one I have listened to over and over again for days now
@punkuddha
Curtis Myers dreadlocks in the mountain
@russdemello8029
Same👊🏽
@SuperElmagico
who JAH bless no man can curse!!! this one will stand as one of the very best classic's allways make mi feel irie and full of blessing's thank you black uhuru for makin mi life so much better -elmagico
@thanley33
this song gives me goosebumps every time hear it. it just makes me so happy i cant even explain it.