| IF Burning Spear sounds like he's having fun on his new Calling Rastafari album, don't be surprised, he's celebrating his 30th year in the music business. And, he's having fun. Calling Rastafari is Spear's strongest album in some time -- 11 powerful songs that hear one of reggae's most enduring performers showing that he's still got the goods. Released in August by Heartbeat Records, Calling Rastafari features Spear being backed by a new band as well as seasoned musicians, including Chalice's guitarist Wayne Armond and bassist Chris Meredith of the Ziggy Marley band. Their presence is responsible for reggae's elder statesman delivering in a big way, as Calling Rastafari boasts the depth that previous albums such as Appointment With His Majesty and Rasta Business lacked. Spear never lets up, incorporating lyrics from some of his classic numbers like Old Marcus Garvey, Foggy Road and Swell Headed into As It Is (the lead track); House Of Reggae and the traditional Let's Move. Arguably, the strongest song is the uptempo Hallelujah, which is bolstered by trademark horns, but driven by guitar riffs and a percussive beat. This one definitely has anthem written over it. The 54-year-old Spear even takes a few chances on You Want Me, a smooth, jazz-flavoured number that hears the venerable rootsman wooing his lady and trying his hand at scatting. The horn-hooked title track, Own Security and Holy Man are also songs worth listening. "The initial reaction has been amazing, most fans are saying it's his best album since Hail HIM," says Heartbeat's Joshua Blood. "Aside from great radio airplay, sales have been overwhelmingly excellent." In celebration of his third decade in the music business, the durable Spear embarked on a four-month world tour that started in France in June. The tour ends in the New England state of Rhode Island later this month. Born in St Ann, Burning Spear got his start at the legendary Studio One where he recorded the influential Rocking Time album in 1968. In the 1970s, his association with Ocho Rios-based producer, Jack Ruby, produced Man In The Hills and Marcus Garvey, albums that remain among reggae's most seminal work. Both albums were distributed by Chris Blackwell's Island Records. Spear found a new home at the Massachussetts independent label, Heartbeat Records, earlier this decade and has earned an amazing six Grammy nominations. Calling Rastafari may well be the seventh. -- Heartbeat Records rounder.com |
