Artist: Burning Spear Album: Living Dub, Volume 2

Year: 1980
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album, Living Dub, Volume 2 by Burning Spear

Burning Spear, the iconic Jamaican reggae artist, has been making music since the early 1960s. He is known for his unique blend of roots reggae, African rhythms, and politically conscious lyrics. Living Dub, Volume 2 is one of his most lauded albums, released in 1980 under the label Island Records. The album features some of Burning Spear's most recognizable tracks, such as Jah Kingdom and Burning Reggae. In this blog post, we will take a critical look at Living Dub, Volume 2 and explore the history of Burning Spear, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critic of the album.

Burning Spear, also known as Winston Rodney, was born on March 1, 1948, in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica. He has been one of the most consistently relevant figures in Jamaican music, known for his captivating live performances and his commitment to social justice. His music has always been politically charged, addressing issues such as poverty, racism, and oppression. His unique sound is a blend of African rhythms, traditional Jamaican music, and American R&B.

Living Dub, Volume 2 is a masterpiece of dub reggae music. The album has ten tracks that make use of a unique studio technique called dubbing. In dub music, the engineer uses the mixing board to isolate and emphasize different parts of the song, creating a new version of the original track. Living Dub, Volume 2 is a great example of this art form, as it showcases Burning Spear's incredible band, The Black Disciples, playing with an innovative and experimental approach. The album was recorded at Tuff Gong and Island Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, and mixed at Island Studios in London, England.

The best tracks on the album are Jah Kingdom, Burning Reggae, and Road Foggy. Jah Kingdom is a perfect example of Burning Spear's socially conscious lyrics, as he sings about the need for a united and peaceful world. Burning Reggae is a fiery and energetic track that combines Burning Spear's powerful voice with the Black Disciples' tight rhythm section. Road Foggy is a slower tempo track, a beautiful ode to nature and the beauty of the Jamaican countryside.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is the use of reverb and echo effects, which give the tracks an atmospheric and dreamy quality. The backing vocals, provided by the female trio The Flames, complement Burning Spear's vocals perfectly, adding a soulful touch to the already soulful music. The bass playing of Aston Barrett is also worth noting, as he provides a driving foundation for the songs, without ever being too showy or overpowering.

Despite the album's many strengths, it does have some weaknesses. For instance, the album could have benefited from a more varied song selection, as some tracks feel too similar to each other. Additionally, the use of dub effects can at times feel overwhelming, with some tracks sounding cluttered or unfocused.

Living Dub, Volume 2 is a classic album by one of Jamaica's most important musical figures. The album shows Burning Spear at his best, combining politically conscious lyrics, African rhythms, and dub studio techniques. The album has some of his most memorable songs and features some of the best musicians of the time. While the album is not perfect, it is an essential addition to any reggae fan's collection. With Living Dub, Volume 2, Burning Spear cemented his place in reggae history, and over 40 years later, the album still holds up as a testament to his vision and creativity.

Living Dub, Volume 2 is a classic album by one of Jamaica's most important musical figures. The album shows Burning Spear at his best, combining politically conscious lyrics, African rhythms, and dub studio techniques. The album has some of his most memorable songs and features some of the best musicians of the time. While the album is not perfect, it is an essential addition to any reggae fan's collection. With Living Dub, Volume 2, Burning Spear cemented his place in reggae history, and over 40 years later, the album still holds up as a testament to his vision and creativity.