BURNING SPEAR
Living Dub, Volume One
Living Dub, Volume Two
(Heartbeat)
This originally ran in the St. Louis Post Dispatch in 1993.
Winston Rodney, better known as reggae legend Burning
Spear, has created some of that genre's greatest records.
Two of those classics, "Marcus Children" and "Hail H.I.M.,"
have recently been re-released in dub form, respectively
entitled "Living Dub, Volume One" and "Living Dub, Volume
Two."
According to Volume One's liner notes, dub is "a
special way of mixing music in Jamaica, often [bringing] out
the nuances of the music in quite startling ways. Stripped
down rhythm tracks, with flashes of echo and reverb, and
vocals leaping from the mix create a vivid journey..."
That "journey" on these releases clocks in at just
under 40 minutes apiece. Volume One is highlighted by the
outstanding musicianship of such luminaries as Sly and
Robbie, "Chinna" Smith and "Familyman" Barrett. Volume Two
is especially noteworthy in that it is backed in its
entirety by the Wailers, who at the time were at the peak of
their considerable talents (Heartbeat plans on releasing the
original 1980 recording of "Hail H.I.M." for the first time
in America this coming January).
The crisp sound on these releases, along with the
psychedelic mix, makes for a mind-bending listening
experience. Words cannot do dub justice. Turn up the volume,
sit back, relax and let Burning Spear blow you away.
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