Marcus Garvey [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Burning Spear | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1975
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Palm Pictures (Audio
• ASIN: B00009ATJM
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,496 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique Classic, February 2, 2005

By 

Matthew Channon (Sandy, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marcus Garvey (Audio CD)

Some argue that the reputation of this release rests on the fact that it was created by the first Jamaican artist other than Bob Marley to compose songs that were written specifically for an album. Before Marley, Jamaican artists didn't have "albums" as a rule. If a singer had enough popular singles they might be rereleased together on an entire record later, but albums were rarley made.

The difference with Burning Spear (Winston Rodney and his back-up singers, Rupert Willington and Delroy Hinds) was that the strength of his music was never with singles. A Burning Spear song by itself didn't mean as much until you put it in a group of Burning Spear songs. It was with albums that Spear would gain his popularity and here was his first big breakthrough. It was a huge success in Jamaica and afterwords, Spear was signed up with Island Records until he gradually reached international fame.

This album may not be for everyone. The music is jerky and old sounding. The tracks are short and often repetitive. But there's something ethereally timeless about this set. The music seems to transcend space and time to make us beleive that it's always been there. As if Winston Rodney brought it with him from his premortal existance to be shared with the world in our present day. Perhaps I was going through a transitional period in my life when I first heard it, but anything Rodney ever did afterword (even if it was just as good or better) would never feel like this. It is truly a unique masterpiece.

P.S. The accompanying band, "The Black Desciples" also deserves mention in helping Burning Spear accomplish this unequaled acheivement.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top five album, January 26, 2006

By 

Robert Stoll (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marcus Garvey (Audio CD)

Ever purchase an album, listen to it, and get totally blown away? For anyone exploring roots reggae, this is an absolute must album. Marcus Garvey embodies everything that roots reggae represents: great beats and powerful lyrics. Buring Spear created many fine albums, but this one is a statement. This is one of my top five albums of all time - no matter the genre.

I would also suggest The Congos "Heart of the Congos" as another must-have roots album. One of producer Lee "Scratch" Perry's finest works.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fantastic album, December 1, 2004

By 

A. Winder "book punk" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marcus Garvey (Audio CD)

i happen to think that part of this album's greatness lies in the fact that it is not bob marley or jimmy cliff (not to knock these amazing artists, just to point out difference). the rhythms, song structures, and singing style are a real departure from pop/r&b/soul song structures that are found elsewhere among reggae's superstars. also, the horns on this album are superb.