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Press

Reggae Roots Rediscovered, Revitalized and Reality-Checked

Monday, August 18 2008 @ 10:00 AM EDT

Burning Spear requires no introduction. He's been one of reggae's most prolific and visionary artists for nearly 40 years. His beard has gone gray and his dreadlocked hairline has inched back a bit, but despite ongoing retirement rumors, he's going strong and making great music to this very day. Jah Is Real is another highlight in a career of landmark albums, a modern roots offering that's dread serious in some spots and playfully celebratory in others.

Spear's had his own label (Burning Music) for a few years and calls his own shots. So even though his songs are liberally decorated with bright horns, stabbing guitar and keyboard riffs, dense percussion and lively backing vocals, the heartbeat reggae vibe never takes a back seat. His authoritative voice has deepened and perhaps mellowed some over the years, but he still hits hard. Jah Is Real (which includes guest shots by Parliament/Funkadelic vets Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrel and one contemporary-sounding remix that's uncharacteristic but still good) is Burning Spear at his shamanic, wise-elder best.

Jenifer Shepherd

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The Midwest Book Review, CD Review

Reggae artist Burning Spear, who chose his music name in honor of Kenyan freedom fighter and first president Jomo Kenyatta, presents his latest album in a decades-long career promoting peace, unity, and love. Burning Spear has traveled to violence-torn Nairobi at the behest of the United Nations to offer the positive influence of his music; now listeners across the globe can feel his strong, positive message of self-reliance, African unity, and respect for one's fellow man in Jah is Real. After bitter disputes with record labels and distributors, Burning Spear has learned the hard way that the best way to ensure he receives proper compensation for his music is to release it himself; fans of the music and the man can rest assured that buying this CD fully supports the artist. Bass guitar and keyboard music form the rhythmic, captivating background for roughly half of the tracks, in this album conveying a much-needed message not for just Africa, but also the world at large. The tracks are "The Cruise", "Step It", "You Were Wrong", "Run for Your Life", "Jah Is Real", "People in High Places", "One Africa", "Grandfather", "Wickedness", "Stick to the Plan", "No Compromise", "700 Strong", "Grassroot", and "Step It Remix".

James A. Cox 08/01/08

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