Most of us know about this classic already, but I would like to do a quick review anyway. My copy of this CD is from 1991 off of the Island label. This is the older copy with 10 tracks. Island has since released a remastered disc in 2003 with 15 tracks total. My favorites on this one are #2 (Police & Thieves) and #3 (Solomon). I haven't had a chance to hear the five extra remastered tracks, but if the quality is the same as the original Lee Perry production, then it should be stand up work. The material on the 10 tack disc was originally released back in 1977 ; produced by Lee Perry and backed by the legendary Upsetters. The title track can be found all over the reggae scene, appearing on numerous compilations - it appears on the Rockers Soundtrack (reviewed 1/17/09) for instance. Police & Thieves has left a long legacy of different versions and rare verses by Junior Murvin and other artists as well and should be noted as a tremendous contribution to all reggae music.
This disc is off of the Taxi label and released in 1984. Original Black Uhuru with Micheal Rose and backed by Sly & Robbie on tour. This disc has 11 tracks total, including: #1 Shine Eye Gal, #2 Plastic Smile, #9 General Penitentiary, and #10 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Great sound quality for the live recording. Don't confuse this with "Black Uhuru - Live '84" witch has 13 tracks off of the Tabou 1 label and released in 2000. It also starts with Shine Eye Gal and Plastic Smile. Taxi has another Sly & Robbie backed live tour recording - a 2 disc 1986 tour with Yellowman, Ini Kamoze, and others. The Ini Kamoze portion includes a lot of material off his famous self titled debut album ( Ini Kamoze : Ini Kamoze ) . These discs give us the opportunity to hear these legendary musicians performing on tour in the prime time of their careers. It's classic material and it sounds great in concert.
