hiphoplives

Mr. Winston Rodney is a living monument. The music of Burning Spear will live on long past the physical incarnation of it’s messenger, but unlike many of reggae’s most prophetic voices, the Spear burns on. He and the various versions of his band have released over 28 studio albums and another 23 live and compilation records since his debut in 1973, Studio One Presents Burning Spear. The album was produced by the legend Clement Dodd, who had met the Spear through mutual friend Bob Marley. Since then he has gone on to write some of the greatest songs in history. He has had a long career, performing his music in every venue you can imagine.

The newest record is called Jah Is Real,  and it is consistent with the material the Spear is known for. The production is very sunny, which stands in contrast to the still spooky sound of Winston’s voice and message. When he was young, his voice possessed an eerie quality of age and wisdom that seemed to come from an ancient time, while still coming from the throat of this skinny young man. Now that his physical being looks the part, his voice still sound erie, but now it seems more like a youthful energy that seems out of place with this old wearied man. Either way, Burning Spear always sounds remarkable in his simple essence, a man without the same attachments to the physical world that you and I experience. Something about that Jamaican natural mystic.

Perhaps no artist represents the sound of meditation like the vibrations in Burning Spear’s voice, so if you need to clear your head, grab any of his masterpieces and do yourself a favor.

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