Reggae was born on island which has seen endless trouble, a tropical stone that often seems two meals away from total social breakdown. And yet, the protest music from Jamaica sounds so happy if you don't stop to listen to the words. Even the bouyant sounds of international icon Bob Marley are full of parables of social justice and frank calls for political revolution. Just what does "the stone that the builder refuse / will always be the head cornerstone" mean if not "the last will be first" or "the meek shall (conquer?) (inherit?) the earth (and right soon)?" Although largely diluted through repeated exposure, Marley sang revolution music.
And indeed for all the pot and talk of "one love" real Jamaican reggae is a revolutionary music, full of anger, fierce pride, and religious fervor. Sure, it sounds placid and groovy (presumably thanks to the weed and the humidity in Jamaica) but underneath that lopsided jerking throbs the heart of a million Marcus Garveys.
This goes triple for the true radicals. Burning Spear (born Winston Rodney) is one of the greatest and most influential roots reggae artists in the history of the genre. Since 1969 Rodney has been writing and producing reggae in his own trademark style, dubbier and less poppy than the Wailers, more concise and less trippy than dub masters like King Tubby. And although some of his albums from the 1980s and 1990s sound incongrously light and shiny, there has always been a lived-in funkiness to his sound. More importantly, throughout his career he has displayed a sharp, even militant, political consciousness, singing about Rastafarianism, poverty, and justice, and even naming one of his albums Marcus Garvey. The name 'Burning Spear' is itself a pointed reference to black nationalism, having originally belonged to the first president of Kenya, the former Mau Mau leader Jomo Kenyatta. In a way, Burning Spear is a gospel musician first and foremost - just for a gospel that most people outside Jamaica don't vibe with automatically.
If there is one rap against Burning Spear as a musician, it might be that sometimes his message has gotten in the way of his music. That is not to say that his political statements have been misguided (and I'm in no position to judge that), but that some of his song have not necessarily been songs as much as manifestos. When he is hitting his mark on both fronts, the results are exhilarating, funky, and deep. His greatest songs are like this - I am a huge fan of "Social Living," "Slavery Days," "Marcus Garvey," and "Marcus Say Jah No Dead" for that very reason. The first time I heard these songs, I remember being stunned and thinking to myself, damn: this isn't 'No Woman No Cry,' this is deep.
Article comments
1 - Michael J. West
This one sounds great! I'm going to iTunes it today.
John, have you heard anything regarding a dub version of this album? Spear's dub remixes are always my favorites.
2 - John Owen
I haven't: that would kick much ass!
3 - Hank R.
I've been spinning this CD non-stop since I bought it last week. It's growing on me. There a few stand out tracks, erspecially "One Marcus". This one rules!
Although I think Mr. Rodney's best writing days are in the past, the Spear still shines bright!
I also love the DVD footage on the flip side. Way cool.
Keep the Spear Burning!!!
4 - John Owen
"I think Mr. Rodney's best writing days are in the past."
Yeah, I think that's probably true. Physicists tend to do their brightest work before age 40, and musicians do too. But, if there's something to be said for watching an older practitioner of an art (whether it's Michael Jordan at age 33, Roger Clemens at 42, or Marty Feldstein in his 70s) figure out how hard work, intelligence, experience and cunning can keep them competitive, then there's definitely something to be said for older musicians keeping their output interesting.
5 - Ekziale I La Vhantre
BIG UP FE ALL A DEM WUH DEM STILL CHANT REGGAE TUNEZ INNA RUB-A-DUB,DWING DI BOGLE WINE UP FAH SHIZZLE.
KEEP DI FLAMES A BUN.
6 - Ekziale I La Vhantre
Sir Winston Rodney a.k.a Bunin Spear,unno di ongle Binghiman a steppin pon dis game fe preach righteousness fe di wicked and consolidate di 'hole a dem victims nah war.
Big up ole-man!
hip hip huree...
7 - Nasirioh che Ghavah Ekziale i LaVhantre
Nuh beef!nuh seh
EY OLMAN,GOTTA BE STRON MUCH FE DEFEAT DI DEVIL.MARSH Up
1
8 - Xin denz cah Lione EKZIALE Lavhantre
Cuh pon di ol-man a dancin pondi riddim.
Rise Africa rise,oh EMANCIPATION.MO FIAH
9 - Dave Ming Rechley
Nice! Your words show a very good understanding of Spear's music. Along with his militant lyrics, Spear is a humble man with a love for people that is inspiring just to be around.
Dave Ming
(Bass - My Duty, Little Garvey, from "Our Music")