Review Summary: Winston Rodney, aka "Burning Spear", released one of the hardest hitting reggae albums of all time with this release. Featuring The Wailers as his backing band, this album exudes a soulful, smoke-filled backbone that will have you praising H.I.M with the
Released in 1980 a few months before the passing of Bob Marley, this album, featuring Marley's backing band "The Wailers" laying down the grooves and beats for Winston Rodney (aka Burning Spear), can be seen as a passing of the spear from Bob to Winston. The album features a terrific drawing by Neville Garrick depicting Haile Selassie, in full imperial dress, riding a white horse on the sand dunes of Ethiopa. Though his album was released in 1980, it was not released in the United States until the Heartbeat CD of this album came out in 1994! Was the shunning of this album by the American powers that be for fourteen years due to the fact that the record was no good? Here are my reviews of the songs based out of 5 *****:
"Hail H.I.M." - Hail H.I.M. (His Imperial Majesty) starts with Winston shouting "Hail Jah Rastafari!" A very laid-back, mellow, thick groove starts the journey. "Hail HIM" is chanted in the background throughout the song. Aston lays down a funky, grooving bass line that is very dub like. The groove is soooo heavy, the thickness/heaviness is almost palpable! It feels as if a cloud of thick smoke is hanging/shrouding the piece (and there probably was)! A GREAT TUNE! Rating - *****
"Columbus" -The keyboards are more prominant here, along with chugging guitar, congas and heavy bass lines. This song tells the tale of how the Arawak Indians were were the first people in the "Americas" NOT Mr. Columbus. "Christopher Colombus is a damn-blasted liar!" shouts Winston with a ton of emotion. "He's a liar!" is repeated as the song closes out. Another FANTASTIC tune with some thought-provoking lyrics. Rating - *****
"Road Foggy" - The horn section introduces this tune, accompanied with some great multiple percussion instruments and cool triangle playing. Very heavy bass lines again from the "Family Man". He keeps a groovy, melloooow beat going throughout the piece. A very moody, heavy atmosphere permeates this song. Winston sings "The road is so foggy, foggy. So foggy, foggy." Probably from the thick smoke of the burning Kind! Hypnotic! Rating - ****
"Follow Marcus Garvey" - Aston begins this with ANOTHER heavy bass groove, accompanied with low Tenor and Alto sax playing in the background. Chugging guitar, and smooth guitar licks from Junior Marvin gives this piece some added punch. You'll want to catch the next "Black Star Liner" out of town after listening to Winston preach! Rating - ****
"Jah See And Know" - The horn section takes front stage on this piece. Thumping bass and chugging guitars. DAMN! Aston Barrett has to the HEAVIEST/FUNKIEST cat to walk this planet! This guy can keep a groove going like no-one else! "Your hearts desire. Your meditations. Your thinking. Your doing. Jah Jah see and know yes." That can either be good news or BAD news! Rating - *****
"African Teacher" - Keyboards kick off this piece and a chugging guitar soon follows. Junior gets in some great guitar licks and Aston lays down the thick beat. "Teach me teacher" is chanted in the backgound. Conga rolls from Winston are heard throughout. A great, moody, "Teach me Aramaic teacher!" song! Classic! Rating - *****
"African Postman" - My favorite cut from this album. Opens with Winston lecturing his son about the "African Postman". Repeated chime clanging helps to herald in the postman and call everyone to hear the latest news. "Them a Holy folk." proclaims Winston and this phrase is chanted repeatedly in the background. Aston lays down a VERY HEAVY bass groove! Awesome song! Rating - *****
"Cry Blood Africans" - Winston wails "Cry Blood Africa!" at the start of this tune. Winston's sadness is apparant and very emotive. Chunky bass and moody horns add dimension. "Cry Africa" is chanted in the background. "The whole world feels it when the African continent cry." Rating - ****
"Jah a Guh Raid" - I love this song. Winston's anger/feelings come through like a Burning Spear! "Raid em' Jah" is chanted in the background while Winston's call for vengance "You raid em'! Someone gots to pay!" sends chills down your spine. "You raid em' Jah!" pleads Winston! Keyboards are prominant as well as chugging guitar. GREAT tune! Rating - *****
This album is a CLASSIC piece of music! This album is a stirring call for people to WAKE UP and think for themselves! Winston Rodney crafted one of the greatest records ever. This is a classic piece of MUSIC that will educate, invigorate and spur debate wherever it is heard. Feed your soul. Get this album!
