Released soon after Bob Marley‘s death, Red seemed a tailor-made pitch for Black Uhuru as reggae‘s next global superstars.
Here was roots consciousness with an eye on the digital future, thanks to the rhythm power of producers Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, dealing in Rasta devotion but with a scope way beyond Jamaica. In the executive producer’s chair sat Marley’s patron, Chris Blackwell.
Crucially, Black Uhuru had real songwriting muscle. “The youth of Brixton they put down their 45 Smith & Wesson pistol” sang Michael Rose, the group’s firebrand, backed by Sandra ‘Puma’ Jones and Derrick ‘Duckie’ Simpson.
With palpable vocal chemistry and mesmeric arrangements, Red marked the end of roots reggae’s heyday before the digital tide swept it all away.
Puma (Sandra Jones) died on 28 January 1990.
Derrick ‘Duckie’ Simpson Vocals Don Carlos (Euvin Spencer) Vocals Rudolph ‘Garth’ Dennis Vocals Michael Rose Vocals Errol Nelson Vocals Sandra ‘Puma’ Jones Vocals Rad Bryan Guitar Dougie Bryan Guitar Keith Sterling Organ Winston Wright
Organ Robbie Shakespeare Bass Sly Dunbar Drums Errol Ranchen McLean Organ Barry Reynolds Guitar Mikey Chung Guitar Uzziah Sticky Thompson Percussion Robert Lyn Percussion Ansel Collins Keyboards Sky Juice Percussion Junio Reid Vocals Olafunke (Janet Reid) Vocals
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