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 AnthemÂą, 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)
Willow Tree
Black Uhuru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pain and sorrow is all that I feel
Deep inside of me its burning out of control
That same sensation You started in my soul.
So, Peace and love in the ghetto
Peace and love in the ghetto, now
Peace and love in the ghetto
Oh as I sit under this weeping willow tree
Pain and Sorrow is all around me
Woe as I wipe these tears from my eyes
Oh yeah, I realize that Our lives should be free
(Chorus)
Oh as I sit under this weeping willow tree
Never been enchanting the vines of the concrete
Oh as I wipe these tears from my eyes, Oh father
I realize that our lives should be free
(Chorus)
Like a bird in a tree
(Peace and love in the ghetto now)
Mm, Yeah,
I'm holding one tired eye
(Peace and love in the ghetto now)
Steady, Its Free now.
Oh love, love...love for everyone
The lyrics of "Willow Tree" by Black Uhuru talks about the emotional turmoil experienced by an individual sitting under a weeping willow tree. The line "pain and sorrow is all that I feel" suggests that the singer is overwhelmed with feelings of grief and despair. The phrase "burning out of control" indicates that the pain is so intense that it is almost unmanageable. The following line "that same sensation you started in my soul" suggests that the pain may have been caused by someone who was once close to the singer.
However, in the chorus, the singer urges for peace and love in the ghetto, which may signify a desire for the community to come together and support each other through difficult times. The lines "our lives should be free" and "love for everyone" further emphasize the need for unity and acceptance.
Overall, "Willow Tree" is an emotionally charged song that highlights the struggles of individuals dealing with grief and encourages a sense of community and togetherness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh as I sit under this weeping willow tree
Feeling pain and sorrow while sitting under a willow tree
Pain and sorrow is all that I feel
Experiencing intense emotional pain and suffering
Deep inside of me its burning out of control
Emotions are overwhelming, intense and consuming
That same sensation You started in my soul.
The person being addressed caused this pain and suffering
Peace and love in the ghetto
A desire for peace and love in difficult circumstances
Peace and love in the ghetto, now
Urgent need for peace and love in the current environment
Oh as I sit under this weeping willow tree
Continuing to feel emotional pain under the same tree
Pain and Sorrow is all around me
Facing pain and sadness from all directions
Woe as I wipe these tears from my eyes
Feeling sad and lamenting as tears are wiped away
Oh yeah, I realize that Our lives should be free
Understanding the need for freedom in life
Peace and love in the ghetto now
Reiterating the need for peace and love in the present situation
Never been enchanting the vines of the concrete
Not feeling drawn to the urban jungle made of concrete
Oh as I wipe these tears from my eyes, Oh father
Addressing a higher power (possibly God) while wiping away tears
I realize that our lives should be free
A further realization of the need for freedom in life
Like a bird in a tree
Feeling as free as a bird in a tree
(Peace and love in the ghetto now)
Repeating the call for peace and love in difficult circumstances
Mm, Yeah, I'm holding one tired eye
Feeling exhausted and only able to keep one eye open
Steady, Its Free now.
Feeling grounded and free now
Oh love, love...love for everyone
Expressing positivity and love for all people
Contributed by Amelia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mophemewapitori3747
Damn this song is out of this world
@ibrahimsanda5163
Memorable !!!!
@adriaandegroodt1456
Beautiful tune
@carlosporras4951
đź‘Źđź‘Źđź‘ŹRootsss del buenoo!
Original Black Uhuru....
@ibrahimsanda5163
In love with the beat.
@brianjenklins4339
Bless up BLACK
@WichalRangai
🔥 💚 🔥 💚 🔥 💚 🔥 💚 🔥 💚 🔥
@klausstoffelen8515
einfach klasse!
@paulajordan8113
lovely ♥♡
@paulcoade
Love your uploads! Youve reconnected me with some long lost and loved chewns. Nice one Bionic!