Customer Reviews

Jah Is Real

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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".

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!!

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.

JAH IS REAL, is Burning Spear's second Grammy Award Win for Best Reggae Album of the Year and his 12th Nomination overall, Someone once told me the best artists are the ones that get Nominated many times and seldom win, well Reggae Legend BURNING SPEAR falls into that category, you know when you buy a Burning Spear Album you are going to get a masterful piece of work from top to bottom, he has a talent for bringing in the best musicians, and at almost 64 years old his voice is still intact and delivers a powerful message of self determination, self reliance, and Love and Peace, I can't leave out that this is a Independent Release, so if you buy this album there is NO Record Company robbing Burning Spear of his royalties. Please Support this Great Independent Release.

One Love Peace,

George Watterson

I bought this CD for someone for christmas. They enjoy it everyday. I also listened to it and enjoyed as well. I recomend this CD to anyone who likes reggae music. Great choice! Great, fast service!

This is a Grammy winning release; but unfortunately, not unlike his first Grammy winning release (Calling Rastafari) it is not his best work. Some of his other (non-Grammy winning releases) are smokin'!!!!!
He has been in the music business 35 years; not all of his albums are going to be superbad.
Keep the Spear Burning!!!!!!!!!!

R.E. Samuels

Self reflection doesn't happen too often in Reggae. Most careers in music don't afford the ability to produce an album which helps address how one might look back upon their journey. However, after 40 years producing possibly the greatest body of works reggae will ever see, Burning Spear, aka Winston Rodney, has come out with an album uniquely variant from his normal driving chants towards justice, righteousness and Rastafarianism.

Not to say Jah is Real isn't on the same inspirational, through provoking level that of the better known of The Spear's body of work, but overall, Burning Spear's latest album gives a glimpse into the personal outlook that Mr. Rodney has formed throughout his time in the music business.

Rodney was born in Saint Ann's Bay, Saint Ann, Jamaica, as were Bob Marley and Marcus Garvey; who both had a great influence on Rodney's life: Garvey in his philosophy, which Burning Spear greatly took to, and Marley in directly helping Burning Spear get started in the music industry by introducing him to Clement Dodd. Burning Spear was originally Rodney's group, named after Jomo Kenyatta, the first Prime Minister and President of an independent Kenya, and initially including bass singer Rupert Willington, later expanding to include tenor Delroy Hinds. As fame took hold the name of the group gradually became synonymous with Rodney.

Burning Spear has been one of the strongest proponents of Marcus Garvey's self-determination and self-reliance for all African descendants, thus leading to several album releases in commemoration of the Jamaican activist.

Appropriately, Mr. Rodney's autobiography is through song in Jah is Real. Who wants to read when they can listen to it from the man himself? As if the feelings from his first Jam Cruise could be applied throughout his own career, which is provided on the surprisingly joyous first track, Mr. Rodney gives a satisfied look back upon what he has seen and experience, subdued consistently has he has been the past 40 years.

Having put out countless albums and known as the undisputed best live reggae show there might ever be, Mr. Rodney has done alright for himself. Navigating through the sharks of the music industry, the false friends, and simply fraudulent dealings, he can embrace his faith that "Jah is Real" as he looks back with a justified sense of satisfaction at the satisfaction he's brought to his legion of dedicated fans.

With legendary bassist Bootsy Collins peppered throughout and the Late Show's Gospel Choir providing back up singers, Jah is Real will be a lasting testament to Burning Spear's remarkable career. Despite the obvious antipathy he may feel towards producers (there is a song called wickedness which addresses such thoughts,) and others he has run across along the way, it is a joy to be able to look back with The Spear and feel the genuine satisfaction that shines through when he reminisces. Always a bonus, the reggae beats are always top notch, and there might not be a reggae singer with a more perfectly timed stoic delivery.

Reviewed by Larry Leiber for The Reggae Movement
www.reggaemovement.com

39 years later the Spear Burns strong as ever. 21st century roots reggae from one of the founding fathers of the genre.

As a long time Spear fan who hails from Africa, this latest album fails to deliver. It's mediocre. And OK is not OK Mr Rodney. I'm sure it must be difficult to deliver greatness each time. But I found this CD very formulaic...same old approach to the lyrics and pieces lacking that biting Spear melody. Come Spear...take a break and don't go back into the studio unless you can deliver something fresh in your vintage style.

I must confess to being an old Burning Spear fan, but this album left me flat. It just did not do it for me. It sounded old, tired and annonymous. Sorry.