Description
Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey/Garveys Ghost – CD
In 1975, on a rising tide of militant political consciousness and the ascendancy of Rastafari, Winston Rodney–the Burning Spear–transcended cult status to achieve international fame via Marcus Garvey. The album pays tribute to the messianic black leader and still sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard. Produced by sound-man Jack Ruby, the horn-driven, muscular music (give thanks for the rhythm section of Robbie Shakespeare, “Family Man” Barrett and “Horsemouth” Wallace) underpins Spear’s heaven-bound voice and the harmonies of Rupert Willington and Delroy Hines. “Do you remember the days of slavery?” “Give me what is mine”, wails the Spear, and it is his voice, which swells with pain and release that has guaranteed Marcus Garvey classic status. This disc’s dubwise bonus, Garvey’s Ghost , is more instrumental than dub but gives a further taste of a unique sound that side-stepped Kingston’s rockers revolution. –Paul Bradshaw