For the first time in 15 years, legendary godfathers of reggae Black Uhuru have returned to the studio to record a new album. “As The World Turns” captures the band’s best, passing the torch even as Black Uhuru’s flames continue to burn strong. Featuring original songs and strong cameos, it is one of the first times in years Duckie Simpson, iconic founder of the band, has stepped out in front, his earthy, soulful baritone guiding the record. To support the album, the band is headed on a East Coast US Tour with stops in major cities New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Boston. Plans of a West Coast Tour will be in March 2019. The album was recorded half in California and the rest in Jamaica. Most of the production was done by Horace “King Hopeton” Campbell at his Double Lion Studio who tours with the band on keyboards. Leebert “Gibby” Morrison studio in Jamaica was used to overdub and voice the backing vocals by Nikki Burt. The album was mixed by Jermaine Forde who tours as the band engineer and Jay Edge William at Ajang Studio and the album was mastered at Music Works Anchor Recording Studio in Kingston. Band agent Mike Gener along with Derrick Simpson are the Executive Producers. The album was released September 7th and is available on all major platforms and distributed by Independent Distribution Collective based out of San Francisco.
I had the honor of speaking with Duckie and Andrew Bees of Black Uhuru about this latest release, “As The World Turns”, and the mini-tour they just wrapped up on the heels of it’s release. We got into what are similarities and differences between making music now and then. How the new album’s songs are being received by the audiences of today, and what are the demoGraphics of an audience at a Black Uhuru concert in 2018. This is some of that music that really shaped me as a listener and believer, and it was a complete thrill to get a few moments with these great guys as they continue to spread love around the world. Love to all.
