Black Uhuru: Complete Anthem Sessions (Ltd Edition 4 CD Box) (2004)

Posted By : wustenratte | Date : 18 May 2010 11:40:19 | Comments : 9 |

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Anthem is the sound of Black Uhuru conquering the world. Back in the days of black vinyl records, reggae bands had to trim their groove to fit the grooves. So it was with Black Uhuru's legendary album, which just had too much dubwise goodness to fit on a single LP. When the non-LP single Solidarity began to connect at radio, the label had the album remixed and rush-re-released: one version for the UK and one for the US. We gathered all the versions, plundered the vaults for some amazing bonus tracks, and put it all in a beautiful bound book with four discs, rare photos and the complete story behind the first reggae album ever to win a Grammy®. Disc One contains the original full length mixes of the Anthem album, plus both sides of the Party Next Door/Party In Session 12-inch. Disc Two features the original dub mixes of the album; all seven tracks are previously unreleased. Disc Three, the UK remix version of the album, also contains both sides of the What Is Life / Solidarity / Party Next Door 12-inch. Disc Four is the US remix version of Anthem, plus two previously unreleased mixes of Somebody's Watching You. I and I dig it. We think you will, too. (amazon product description)

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AMG Review by Lindsay Planer

When Tom Tom Club sang "reggae's expanding with Sly & Robbie" on "Genius of Love," perhaps they were referring to their influence on Black Uhuru's landmark crossover, Anthem (1983). Their musicianship and ability to tailor the arrangements and presentation was seminal to the success of the long-player. The original incarnation of the band -- whose name translates as "to be free" in Swahili -- evolved from the fertile environs of Kingston, Jamaica. By the early '80s the lineup centered around the trio of Michael Rose (vocals), sole founding member Derrick "Duckie" Simpson (vocals), and in 1981 Sandra "Puma" Jones (vocals), an American who had previously been part of the all-girl combo Mama Africa. With Anthem, the threesome took a bold and ultimately fruitful step, trying to appeal to a much larger audience. While the platter would earn Black Uhuru the very first Grammy award given to a reggae artist, many purists were less than impressed by the undeniably overt pop/rock elements, including the copious use of synthesizers. The end result was a less-than-authentic interpretation of the material. As the title of this four-disc box set intimates, Hip-O Select's Complete Anthem Sessions (2004) is the final word on the album. Housed within are all the unedited full-length mixes, dub mixes, U.K. and U.S. versions, and widely sought 12" renderings of "Party Next Door," "Party in Session," "What Is Life," and the Steve Van Zandt-penned "Solidarity." Plus, a pair of never-before-available interpretations of "Somebody's Watching You." Providing every possible option in one anthology is nothing short of inspired. It likewise allows a juxtaposition of production styles that aid in understanding both the impact of the music, as well as the various alterations -- some subtle and others significant -- made in an attempt to cater to specific listeners. The Hip-O Select Internet audio boutique issued The Complete Anthem Sessions in a strictly limited edition of 5,000 copies. The four CDs are accompanied by 40 pages of text and photos, with the contents housed in a lavish high quality 7-3/4" by 6-1/4" cloth hardbound book. More information can be found on the label's website at www.hip-oselect.com.

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DISC 1: ORIGINAL FULL LENGTH MIXES
Unreleased, unedited version of Island ILPS 9769 (UK), originally released November 1983

1. What Is Life?
2. Party Next Door
3. Try It
4. Black Uhuru Anthem
5. Botanical Roots
6. Somebody's Watching You
7. Bull In The Pen
8. Elements
BONUS TRACKS
9. Party Next Door (12" Version)
10. Party In Session

DISC 2: ORIGINAL DUB MIXES
All tracks previously unreleased

1. What Is Life?
2. Try It
3. Black Uhuru Anthem
4. Botanical Roots
5. Somebody's Watching You
6. Bull In The Pen
7. Elements

DISC 3: UK REMIX ALBUM
Island ILPS 9773 (UK), originally released July 1984

1. What Is Life
2. Solidarity
3. Black Uhuru Anthem
4. Try It
5. Botanical Roots
6. Somebody's Watching You
7. Bull In The Pen
8. Elements
BONUS TRACKS
9. What Is Life? (Francois Kervorkian Remix)
10. Solidarity (Zeus B Held Remix)
11. Party Next Door (E.T. Thorngren Remix)

DISC 4: US REMIX ALBUM
Island ILPS 90180-1 (US), originally released July 1984

1. What Is Life? (Remix Version)
2. Solidarity
3. Black Uhuru Anthem
4. Try It
5. Botanical Roots (Remix Version)
6. Party Next Door (Remix Version)
7. Bull In The Pen
8. Elements
BONUS TRACKS
9. Somebody's Watching You (Bruce Forest Remix)
10. Somebody's Watching You (Bruce Forest Dub Mix)

EAC LOGs

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Posted By: 63zxzx Date: 18 May 2010 12:13:24

This is a GREAT post, real great! Thanks very much!

Posted By: rootsandculture Date: 18 May 2010 12:21:51

Thanks for all reggae

Posted By: gonzalo76 Date: 18 May 2010 16:55:24

Thank you !

Posted By: wustenratte Date: 19 May 2010 18:48:59

You're welcome - thanks for the comments :)

Posted By: mzalia Date: 20 May 2010 01:27:21

awesome post, thank you.

Posted By: Lusitano Date: 21 May 2010 08:03:27

thanks for all your reggae posts wustenratte ! really appreciated :)

Posted By: jazzever Date: 27 Oct 2010 03:19:12

Awesome wustenratte,great job!

Posted By: seefeel Date: 14 Feb 2011 18:43:45

Ooooo...I really want to have a booklet scan for this, it's great reading about this band...Thanks anyway. I hope you'd upload the booklet scan :)

Posted By: donsteelplummer Date: 17 May 2011 16:51:50

aright then, it still there

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