Review of two new releases from Burning Spear Records

"Burning Spear" is one of those names that you can rattle off to most people and they will say, "Oh, that's that reggae guy, right?" They may not recognize his music or even know his real name, but Burning Spear is name as recognizable as any other living reggae singer. His voice has a similar distinctive nasal quality as Joseph Hill's (Culture), and his message is always positive and uplifting.

Spear's own Burning Spear Records sets off what will hopefully be a long series of positive modern roots with Live at Montreaux Jazz Festival 2001 and the re-release of 1979's Original Living Dub Vol. 1. A new studio album is in the works and a 100+ date US tour. It's going to be a busy year for the 54-year-old singer, but there's no doubt that he's keeping the fire burning.

The Montreaux release marks the first album released since Spear's 1999 Grammy for Calling Rastafari. It's a powerful live performance with 11 tracks spanning his 30 year career. Kicking things off with the 1976 single "The Youth," Spear runs through lots of his original classics, including steady rocking versions of "Man in the Hills" (from the 1976 album of the same name), "Rocking Time" (the title track from his 1974 sophomore effort), and "Slavery Days" (from 1975's "Marcus Garvey"). Even though many of these songs are nearly 30 years old, Spear still delivers them with the fire and the passion of a yout'man. Interestingly, none of the tracks from his Grammy winning album were included.

Spear's backing band plays well and the sound quality of the recording is quite good. The bass is heavy enough, but the vocals are wonderfully clear. They did a good job all around with this release.

Perhaps more exciting than the release of the Montreaux disc is the re-release on CD of Spear's 1979 album "Living Dub Vol. 1" (here titled Original Living Dub Vol. 1), a dub version of the previous year's Social Living (also released as Marcus Children). Another version of the album was released in the early 90s, but because the mix was off, the original LP release was still considered the preferred version. Hopefully this release will please collectors looking to preserve the slow rolling dub feel of the original. Engineered well with lots of bass, just the right amount of vocal delay, and some really crisp rimshots and keyboard work, versions like "Children of Today," "Associate," and "In Those Days" make this one a great one to grab whether or not you're familiar with the original release. The vibe isn't as minimalist as you'd get with King Tubby's early work, but also not as busy as some modern dub. Rather, it sits happily in the middle, providing some wicked vibes. Light the incense (and whatever else) and let Original Living Dub Vol. 1 lift you away...

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