Anthem is an album by Black Uhuru, released in the US in 1983 and internationally in 1984. In 1985, it won the first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording.[3] It has been released in three editions, each with a different track listing and mix, and as a box set.
The album was well-received, earning Black Uhuru the highest accolades and broadest audience of their career.[4] The traditionally non-reggae elements added in the remixes were polarizing. Both Robert Christgau and Allmusic's John Gonsalves were dubious about the remixes; Christgau felt that the songs held up in spite of the added effects while Gonsalves did not.[2][1]
The album's success led to tensions between Duckie Simpson and Michael Rose, resulting in Rose's departure from the group. Rose has stated that the album "came before its time".[4]
Anthem has been released in three editions: the original recording, the UK remix and the US remix;[4] despite their names, both of the latter were marketed internationally. All three editions were included in a limited-edition box set, The Complete Anthem Sessions, along with non-album and previously-unreleased tracks.
Originally produced by Sly and Robbie, the album was resequenced and remixed by record company Island Records,[5] omitting gaps between songs and further emphasizing the electropop aspect, particularly on the US version.[4] The UK and US editions respectively omitted "Party Next Door" and the Sly and the Family Stone cover "Somebody's Watching You", substituting a cover of Steven Van Zandt's "Solidarity", a charting non-album single from late 1983.
Track listing
Island ILPS 9769 (UK), originally released November 1983. Track lengths are for the original, uncut versions.[4]
