Burning Spear
The Ultimate Collection
Hip-O
With tracks spanning from 1975-1991, this truly is an “ultimate collection.” Burning Spear, a politicized Jamaican born Winston Rodney, is thoroughly an old school reggae practitioner. How old school, you ask? The liner notes state he survived “the dark days of dancehall.” Ouch, sounds like my take on disco.
Dissing somewhat more contemporary sounds aside, this stands up with the best of more famous reggae artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer. If you like that sort of classic reggae, you should definitely check out this best-of from Burning Spear. There’s simply no filler here at all. My highest recommendation; this is a real gem.
Hip-O/Universal Records, 2220 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404