Artist: Burning Spear Album: Calling Rastafari

Year: 1999
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: Calling Rastafari by Burning Spear

Burning Spear, a Jamaican reggae legend, is known for his soul-stirring music that blends social commentary, political activism, and religious convictions. His album, Calling Rastafari, released in 1999, was a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the Rastafarian faith. In this blog post, I will provide a critical review of the album, delve into the artist's background, explore the music genre of the album, highlight the best songs and most innovative parts, and conclude with my take on the album.

Burning Spear began his career in the late 1960s and has since released over 25 studio albums, all with a message of social and spiritual awakening. Calling Rastafari was his 19th studio album, and it continued his tradition of combining reggae music with Rastafarian teachings, urging listeners to embrace the faith and live a righteous life.

The album's genre is rooted in traditional reggae sounds, with elements of roots and dub music. Burning Spear's distinctive vocal style is complemented by the band's skilled instrumentation, creating a fusion of high-energy beats and conscious lyrics.

The album's best songs include African Teacher, a tribute to Marcus Garvey and his teachings of black empowerment; Farover, an ode to the Rastafarian belief in a better world beyond this earthly realm; and Social Living, which tackles societal issues such as poverty and injustice with a call for unity and progress.

The most innovative parts of the album lie in its use of percussion and horn sections, which add layers of complexity to the already rich sound. The album also features guest appearances by fellow reggae legends Capleton and Marcia Griffiths, adding a diverse range of vocal styles and perspectives.

However, the album has its drawbacks, notably in its lack of diversity in tempo and mood. The songs tend to have a similar upbeat rhythm and a singular focus on Rastafarian teachings, which can become repetitive for some listeners.

Calling Rastafari is a powerful statement of Burning Spear's artistic vision and lasting legacy. It is a testament to his passion and dedication to promoting social and spiritual awareness through reggae music. The album showcases some of his best work and provides a snapshot of the Rastafarian faith and its impact on Jamaican music. Although the album has some limitations, it is a must-listen for any fan of reggae music and a testament to Burning Spear's timeless relevance.

Calling Rastafari is a powerful statement of Burning Spear's artistic vision and lasting legacy. It is a testament to his passion and dedication to promoting social and spiritual awareness through reggae music. The album showcases some of his best work and provides a snapshot of the Rastafarian faith and its impact on Jamaican music. Although the album has some limitations, it is a must-listen for any fan of reggae music and a testament to Burning Spear's timeless relevance.