Most of the songs on this live LP date back to Black Uhuru's early days and, as a result, may not be familiar to American fans who discovered the group via its most recent studio albums on Island. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," for example, is a version of a tune that was a hit for lead singer Michael Rose in 1976, and "King Selassie" dates back to 1977.

Black Uhuru's present lineup of Rose, Puma and Duckie Simpson joined forces with the preeminent reggae rhythm section of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare about four years ago, and the ensemble remains intact and masterfully synchronized on this record. Over a firm rhythmic pulse, Rose's limber voice carries the angry insinuations of a son of the ghetto on tracks like "Plastic Smile," sometimes meshing with, sometimes skying away from the spirited chanting of his singing partners. This live set is a stimulating history lesson about the most exciting reggae band around. (RS 371)

FRED SCHRUERS