URoy - Black Heart aka Officially

Review by Lucrece Borrego

Album Review: Black Heart aka Officially by U-Roy (1972) Alright, let’s talk about U-Roy’s Black Heart—or as some folks call it, Officially. This reggae gem dropped back in 1972 on Burke’s Records, and man, it’s got that old-school vibe that just sticks with you. If you’re into raw, unfiltered reggae sounds, this one’s a must-listen. Now, I gotta say, the track “Black Heart” is what really grabbed me. It’s not flashy or overproduced—it’s straight-up storytelling with U-Roy’s smooth toasting vibes riding over the beat. You can almost picture him chilling in the studio, just letting the words flow. The lyrics hit hard too; they’re kinda like a wake-up call about loyalty and trust. Every time I hear it, I’m reminded how music doesn’t need all the bells and whistles to pack a punch. Then there’s “What Can I Do.” Honestly, this tune feels like a warm hug from an old friend. The rhythm is so laid-back, but at the same time, it’s got this urgency to it. Like, you know when life gets messy and you’re just trying to figure things out? That’s what this song feels like. It’s relatable without being cheesy, which is no small feat if you ask me. One thing that stands out about this album is how real it feels. There’s no auto-tune, no overdone effects—just pure reggae soul. And yeah, maybe the production quality isn’t super crisp compared to today’s standards, but honestly, that’s part of its charm. It’s like listening to a piece of history, y’know? So here’s the kicker—I was reading up on U-Roy after spinning this album, and apparently, he was a total pioneer for DJ-style vocals in reggae. Like, imagine hearing something totally new for the first time, and then realizing decades later that it changed the game. Makes you think twice about those random tracks you skip on Spotify playlists, huh? Anyway, if you haven’t given Black Heart aka Officially a spin yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. Just don’t blame me if you end up vibing so hard you miss your bus stop.

Download URoy - Black Heart aka Officially

Artist: URoy
Album: Black Heart aka Officially

Reggae

1972

Rating: 5.0

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Filename: uroy-black-heart-aka-officially.zip

MP3 size: 8 mb
FLAC size: 66.6 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Black Heart (aka Officially)
What Can I Do

Video

Lloyd Charmers - What Can I Do

U. Roy - Black Heart - Officially - Pama Reggae - 45 rpm Vinyl

Lloyd Charmers - What Can I Do - U Roy - Officially.

Images

lataa albumi URoy - Black Heart aka Officially

Labels

Burke's Records

Listen online

lytte på nettet
écouter en ligne
online anhören
escuchar en línea
kuunnella verkossa
ouvir online
lyssna på nätet
ascolta in linea
online luisteren

Formats

Vinyl
7"

Notes

Pre-release of later Splash US release

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout: SP-2008-A/SP-2008-B

About URoy

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Jamaican reggae vocalist and pioneer of toasting. Born 21 September 1942, Kingston, Jamaica. Died 17 February 2021, Kingston, Jamaica. U-Roy, born in the slum Jones Town, in inner Kinston, Jamaica, became famous in the late 60's and early 70's. He was the prime innovator of toasting over versions of popular songs, remixed by dub music pioneers such as . This vocal style was a major influence on early rap (Disco / Electro / Break Beat) and the later American hip-hop movement. He ran his own label, , and sound system .

Real Name

Ewart Beckford

Name Vars

(Mr.) U Roy
Daddy \
U-Roy
Daddy Hugh Roy
Daddy U Roy
Daddy U-Roy
H. Roy
Hue Roy
Hugh Roy
Hugh - Roy
Hugh Roy
I Roy
Mr. U Roy
Mr. U-Roy
Mr. U. Roy
Roy
The U-Roy
U - Roy
U Roy
U Roy (Ewart Beckford)
U Roy The Greatest
U, Roy
U-Roy At The Control
U-Roy The Rasta Ambassador
U-Roy The Teacher
U. Roy
U.Roy
U:Roy
UR
URoy
Uroy
V. Roy

Aliases

Ewart Beckford

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? URoy's album *Black Heart (aka Officially)*, released in 1972, is a hidden gem in reggae history. It came out in the US under Burke's Records and features tracks like *What Can I Do* and the title track *Black Heart (aka Officially)*. This album helped shape the sound of reggae during its early years. Pretty cool, right?

Comments

sudobash

2025-03-15

I love U-Roy's inimitable style

fchacano

2025-03-14

Donny Elbert “What can I do”

ironicshow

2025-03-14

Real toast !

jangelgarmar

2025-03-13

OMG, always had the U Roy toast - since 19775 - you sharing the Lloyd Charmers vocal is like god sent gift, thanks and blessings. Excellennt singer, excellent rhythm Track, FAT Bassline, stunning U Roy toast, just no downside just CCCCHHHHUUUUUUNNNNEEEEE.