****BURNING SPEAR - HARDER THAN THE BEST****

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****BURNING SPEAR - HARDER THAN THE BEST****


TRACKLIST






1. Marcus Garvey
2. Dry & Heavy
3. Throw Down Your Arms
4. Social Living
5. The Invasion
6. Black Wa Da Da
7. Garvey's Ghost
8. Slavery Days
9. Old Marcus Garvey
10. Man In The Hills
11. The Sun
12. Civilized Reggae


Label Mango
Orig Year 1979
Discs 1
Producer Burning Spear; Jack Ruby

HARDER THAN THE BEST is a collection of songs Burning Spear recorded for the Island label from 1975 to 1978. This is some of the best roots-style reggae ever made--Rodney's vocal quality is similar to Bob Marley's, but deeper, and just as committed; the tone is righteous without being overbearing, and the music--heavy on the horns and keyboards--matches Rodney's urgency and brings a sweet sense of romance and wistfulness.


Burning Spear includes: Winston Rodney (vocals).


Burning Spear (real name: Winston Rodney) is one of modern reggae's giants. His music is full of passion, filled with imagery of darkness and oppression, with salvation just around the corner. Musically, the reggae beat is strong, and the overall sound is charged with the sound of dub, the Jamaican sound where the mixing board is used as an instrument to alter the sounds of a tune by bringing sounds in and out of the mix.


Q (6/00, p.123) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Winston Rodney remains among the most highly regarded of roots vocalists....it seems obvious that not even fellow St. Ann's native Bob Marley could top the sheer ebullience of his performances, while his backing band are without peer..."
NME (Magazine) (3/4/00, p.36) - 8 out of 10 - "...[Spear's] unique warble is a revelation, his righteous Rasta message delivered over a backdrop of muscular rhythms and embellished with triumphant brass fanfares....a perfect introduction fro the uninitiated..."