Hot Press Meets Duckie Simpson

In the world of reggae, few figures loom larger than Derrick “Duckie” Simpson and his band, Black Uhuru. Formed in Jamaica in 1972, the ground-breaking group have released 14 albums, seven instrumental dub records and four live LPs during their five decade career. When we catch up with their leader, he tells us they’ve no plans to stop just yet. Next year they unveil their latest, as yet untitled, opus.

“We’ll have a new CD out in March 2014, man,” says Simpson in his famous, gravelly Jamaican patois. “After that, we’re planning to come on the road again. We never stop. I’ve got some tracks finished and I’m going back in the studio in September in California when I’ve done with this current tour. I’ll complete it and have it ready for next year.
“I’m handling the lead vocals on this one,” he continues. “I think it’s sounding really good. It’s up to the fans to decide when they hear it and it’s up to them whether they accept it. I think the tracks are real strong. I’ve done a lot of lead in the past - in fact the only albums I didn’t do any lead vocals on was when we were working with Michael Rose. On all those other ones, with people like Junior Reid and Don Carlos, I’ve done a couple of tracks on every album. It’ll be good to do a full CD this time.”
The highest selling reggae band of all time behind Bob Marley and the first to win a Grammy (in 1985 for Anthem), Duckie’s band are easily one of the scene’s most celebrated acts. On August 31, Las Vegas holds its very own Black Uhuru day. Their record, Red, was voted number 23 in Rolling Stone’s greatest albums of the ’80s and in May they were given a Lifetime Achievement gong by the International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA). When we ask Duckie how he feels about his accolades, he seems proud of his career thus far. At the same time he doesn’t really want to talk about it.
“Yeah man, they gave me a Lifetime Achievement Award a couple months back,” he chuckles. “I’ve picked up a few awards over the years.... Black Uhuru day in Vegas is cool!”
Twenty-four hours after Black Uhuru Day, the band perform at Electric Picnic. Duckie tells us he’s excited about playing (even if he can’t remember too much about his previous visits).
“We’ve just started this tour so we’re only just getting into the way of things. I’m looking forward to coming to Electric Picnic,” he enthuses. “I was in Ireland a few times and I think this might be my third trip there overall. It’s been so long, to tell the truth, I don’t remember what the place looks like. I’m looking forward to it!”
Regardless of his road or weed-induced memory loss, Simpson’s unwavering vision for his band has ensured his place in reggae’s royal family. He tells us that he’s as motivated now as he ever was.
“Originality is what keeps me going,” he concludes. “That and Rastafari. It’s all I need.”