Michael Rose & Etana at Stary Klasztor: Black Uhuru and a new voice of Jamaican reggae
Michael Rose and Etana represent different generations of Jamaican reggae, connecting Black Uhuru’s legacy with a distinctive female voice. The preview of their shared concert in the Gothic Hall at Stary Klasztor explored their repertoire and social message.
On 18 February, a landmark event will take place in the Gothic Hall at Stary Klasztor. Sharing one stage will be living reggae legend Michael Rose, vocalist of Black Uhuru, one of the greatest bands in Jamaican music history, and Etana, an ambassador for reggae and women’s rights with an extraordinary vocal range and a leading figure of a new musical generation. In one evening, audiences can take an extraordinary journey through the universe of Jamaican sounds, in the best possible company.
Black Uhuru singer Michael Rose is one of the most outstanding living artists, changing Jamaican music for over 25 years. He moves freely between genres, among the best-known faces of both roots reggae and modern dancehall. Thanks to him, Black Uhuru became the world’s most recognisable reggae group after Bob Marley’s death. He is also among Jamaica’s most charismatic performers, with a powerful, original voice giving his recordings a unique character.
Michael Rose began his career at 15. By the mid-1970s, he was already a distinctive musician with several singles to his name. One, “Guess Who's Coming To Dinner”, became hugely popular years later. Duckie Simpson and Errol Nelson then asked him to join Black Uhuru. The group’s first album, “Love Crisis”, produced by Prince Jammy, appeared in 1977. Its track “I Love King Selassie” was the band’s first major hit. The breakthrough came with the next release, the hit-packed “Showcase”, recorded with the legendary Sly & Robbie.
It is one of reggae’s most hit-filled albums, featuring explosive tracks such as “General Penitentiary”, “Plastic Smile”, a new version of “Guess Who's Coming To Dinner” and “Shine Eye Gal”, with guest guitarist Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. In the 1980s, Black Uhuru continued their international career, culminating in the first-ever prestigious Grammy for a reggae album in 1985 for “Anthem”. This success would not have been possible without Michael Rose’s genius, stage charisma and atomic-powered vocals, whose style became known as “Waterhouse” in tribute to him.
Soon afterwards, Rose unexpectedly left the group and began a solo career, seeking new means of artistic expression. He recorded highly varied and warmly received albums and singles, working with young musicians as well as old friends from Jamaica. His singing inspired many performers, and his status as a living legend did not stop him exploring new musical territories.
Etana is among recent years’ most captivating, soulful Jamaican artists, an empress ruling broad territories of jazz, soul, folk and roots reggae. Her enormous vocal range and elegant singing place her alongside Miriam Makeba, Marcia Griffiths and Etta James. Bold genre fusions meet modesty and deep self-awareness. Reggae remains the core, described by her as music flowing from soul, heart and everyday life.
She began her career in Florida in 2000, leaving nursing school to join female R&B trio Gift. She left in protest against women’s objectification in music and treatment as sexual playthings. Returning to her birthplace in Jamaica, she intended to open an internet café. Richie Spice recognised her talent and invited her into his band. Her first single, “Wrong Adress”, appeared in 2007, opposing discrimination against Jamaicans living in violent ghettos.
The next single, “Roots”, urging young people to preserve tradition, was hugely successful and secured her a deal with prestigious label VP Records. Her debut, “The Strong One”, and the next two albums, “Free Expressions” and “A Better Tomorrow”, were like three vibrating-palm strikes: their power and finesse reached listeners gradually, allowing them to appreciate her arsenal of expression and unusual solutions only in time. Add socially engaged lyrics to this musical richness and extraordinary vocal ability, and she had an army of devoted fans worldwide.
Etana is one of the brightest figures on today’s reggae scene and a respected activist fighting for women’s rights in Jamaica. She is also involved in charitable work.
Before Michael Rose and Etana’s concert, Wrocław’s Positive Thursdays in DUB will perform: a factory of positive sounds and deep bass driven by Rafał Konert.
Event details
MICHAEL ROSE & ETANA
17 February 2015
Gothic Hall
Wrocław