Black Uhuru Ft. Dylan's Dharma, Andrew Bees & King Hopeton – New Day - 2022 Roots Reggae - Ltd. Orange Vinyl - Sealed LP

Black Uhuru - New Day 

 

 

Label: Law Records – LAW72

Format:     

Vinyl, LP, Orange Clear

Indie Exclusive
Barcode (Scanned - Sticker): 196626664419

Country: US

Released: 2022

Genre: Reggae

Style: Roots Reggae, Reggae-Pop

 

 

A1 Jamaica To Here

A2 Helltown

A3 I Can See The Light

A4 Brand New Day

A5 Just Begun

A6 Gal Next Door

 

 

B1 Hold You

B2 Nine Star General

B3 Top Rankin

B4 Scorching Day

B5 Colour Blind

 

 

 

In terms of musical longevity, it may seem remarkable that one of the most iconic names that Reggae has ever gifted us, Black Uhuru, are celebrating their 50th anniversary. But when you listen to their new album, it’s little wonder this legendary group is still going strong after half a century. New Day, released via Californian independent label LAW Records, is quite a way to mark 50 years of making music. The album is a collaboration between Uhuru and Chico Roots-Rock crew Dylans Dharma, led by Dylan Seid. Interestingly, the majority of the tracks were recorded using analogue kit, namely tape – a rarity in 21st century music. This gives the overall album that rich, intricate and ‘as-live’ feel as well as pure finesse. Musically, Uhuru and Dharma have covered the length and breadth of Reggae-derived music – clearly representing their 50 years in the culture; no mean feat to make this genre-crossing feel seamless but they pull it off effortlessly.

 

It opens with Jamaica To Here (based on the Ralph McTell track From Clare To Here), with Simpson and Seid sharing vocal duties. The track sums up the album’s collaborators perfectly: combining both Jamaican and Cali elements. Reggae is repped by the keys winding across a bubble rhythm, the use of a vibrato’d electric organ and some rhythmic Dub reverb thrown in. Then, the SoCal sound is delivered by that classic electric guitar technique: heavy on the reverb and tremolo, plenty of bending and a healthy dose of blue notes and glissandos thrown in. It’s just perfection and the JA/SoCal sound is utterly gorgeous – complemented by Simpson and Seid’s pleasing vocals and the clever lyrics nodding to the historical links between Jamaica and California and their Reggae scenes/culture. Stunning.  (ReggaeVille)