"After gaining exposure with producer Clement Dodd between 1969-75, Burning Spear (aka Winston Rodney) and singing partners Rupert Willington and Delroy Hinds cut a handful of stunning albums for Island over the next three years. The first two releases, "Garvey's Ghost" and "Man In The Hills", were produced by Jack Ruby and introduced audiences to the trio's stark mix of rasta/social themes, chant-like vocalizing, and sophisticated take on the islands' raw nyabinghi drumming tradition. The next two studio albums, "Dry And Heavy" and "Social Living", were produced by Rodney and maintained the group's cultural stance while also sporting a slicker sound, thanks in part to some jazz-tinged horn arrangements. This roundup includes highlights from these releases, plus one track from the dub version of the Marcus Garvey LP, "Garvey's Ghost." Featuring such Jamaican studio luminaries as the Barrett Brothers, Sly and Robbie, and Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, this qualifies as a solid introduction." (S. Cook, Allmusic)
"A great pairing of Rodney (Burning Spear) vocals and horn section. A Grammy nominee, this boasts the added bonus of a wonderful non-political piece "Love to You." Part Rastafarian preacher, part Black historian -- more so than any other roots artist -- Burning Spear (Winston Rodney) has illuminated Rastafarianism in song, sharing his beliefs with an avid public." (Allmusic)
"The veteran reggae performer Burning Spear is heard here at the top of his game, performing at the 1997 WOMAD festival backed by a world-class band on a selection of classics including "Slavery Days" and "Marcus Garvey," as well as later songs such as the Grateful Dead-referencing "Play Jerry." The rhythms are energetic, swaying, and punctuated by a sprightly horn section, while the former Winston Rodney belies his four-decade-and-counting music business career by giving his all to songs such as the bubbling "Creation" and the righteous "Red, Green and Gold." (Allmusic).
"Monumentale baslijnen, bijna monotone koorzang en effectieve blazers vormen de perfecte omlijsting bij z'n gruizige klaagzang. Deze songs, dubs en discomixen van 7"'s en 12"'s zijn jarenlang nagenoeg onvindbaar geweest. Grote klasse." (Hvn)
Reggae-klassieker uit '75, die in vele critici-lijstjes voorkomt. Muziek met boodschap en prachtige vocalen. Soms schreeuwt hij z'n respect voor de rastaprofeet Garvey uit, dan zingt hij weer gevoelig en hypnotiserend. Inclusief dubversies.
"The second half of the album's title pretty much sums it up. With the low end ably handled by Sly & Robbie, as well as Aston Barrett from Bob Marley's Wailers, Winston Rodney is free to follow his muses where they lead him, which is back to politics and spiritual matters. If not as perfect as "Marcus Garvey", this set allows us a more detailed view of Burning Spear, an artist fully engaged in the world around him. An essential album from a genuine visionary." (Brian Beatty, Allmusic)
Rootsreggae-klassieker uit 1977, weinig onderdoend voor z'n absolute meesterwerk "Marcus Garvey" van twee jaar eerder. De teksten hebben een spiritueel danwel politiek karakter, de lome riddims worden gespeeld door prominente studiomusici als bassist Robbie Shakespeare en gitarist Asthon 'Family Man' Barrett (van The Wailers).
Album uit '78 van deze Jamaicaanse rootsreggae zanger, net als Marley was hij diep onder de indruk van rastaprofeet Marcus Garvey. Dit album werd destijds onderschat, maar de originele mix werd een collecters item van de Blood & Fire serie.
Mooi gedocumenteerde opnamen voor Island. Jaren '80-werk voor andere labels ontbreekt. In de 90-ies kwam hij terug op 't oude nest: vandaar de abrupte overgang van de psychedelischer, dubby 70-ies naar transparant geproduceerd recent werk.
