Jah Is Real

Burning Spear | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Burning Music
• ASIN: B001BN25YE
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,208 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Cruise

2. Step It

3. You Were Wrong

4. Run for Your Life

5. Jah Is Real

6. People in High Places

7. One Africa

8. Grandfather

9. Wickedness

10. Stick to the Plan

11. No Compromise

12. 700 Strong

13. Grassroot

14. Step It [Remix]

Editorial Reviews

Jah Is Real 2008 Grammy Winning album on Burning Spear Independent record label.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much-needed message not for just Africa, but also the world at large, September 7, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jah Is Real (Audio CD)

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".

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Strong Release, September 8, 2008

By 

CoolPoet (Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jah Is Real (Audio CD)

This album exceeded my expectations as I was not so swayed by his other recent releases. This one takes you back and I guess I'm more impressed with the quality of production on this one. Some of the familiar elements are there such as the prevalent horns and the formula is still there so you always know you are listening to a Burning Spear song. Of course the message is still strong, I don't expect anything less. I'm still digesting it all so I don't have any standout tracks but they all seem to have their own strengths and I don't hear any fillers. I'm fond of "Step It", "Run For Your Life" and "One Africa". A little odd may be the jungle remix of 'Step It' at the end, to which I haven't heard that genre of reggae in a long time which made it interesting. A great album!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Meaningful Music With A Positive Message, September 7, 2008

By 

Selector Ras Fury (Toronto, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jah Is Real (Audio CD)

So far, "Jah Is Real" is by far the best roots release of 2008. The music is comfortable and vital, and Burning Spear's lyrics are delivered in a meditative, chanting fashion certain to calm any listener. He reaches startling levels of emotional and spiritual intelligence with these songs -- especially on "One Africa" and "No Compromise." I have had to listen to this album several times to uncover its many messages, and I'll bet there are still more to come. Burning Spear's band sounds very full and rich, and the creative ideas are fresh and original while still maintaining Burning Spear's spiritual music values. Strong, flavorful vocal harmonies and horn riffs further enhance Burning Spear's message of peace, upliftment and wisdom. The music is top-shelf, and the energy is positive. Reggae fans will definitely feel grateful for this album.