Artist: Burning Spear Album: Rasta Business

Year: 1995
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Burning Spear's 'Rasta Business' Album

Burning Spear is one of the most prominent reggae music artists of all time, with a career spanning over five decades. One of his standout albums is 'Rasta Business', which was released in 1995. This album stands out from his previous works, being more focused on social issues like political corruption and police brutality. As a fan of reggae music, I decided to give a critical review of the 'Rasta Business' album.

The 'Rasta Business' album augments Burning Spear's reputation as a social commentator and a Rastafarian icon. The album has a strong message and an anti-system stance. Unlike most reggae albums that focus on love and unity, 'Rasta Business' focuses on the injustices and socio-political issues that plague the society.

One of the best songs on the album is 'Great Men'. The song shares a powerful message that encourages one to be content with your life and circumstances, given the limitations of our human nature. It urges people to appreciate great men like Marcus Garvey and Frederick Douglass, who fought for the rights and freedom of black people in America.

Another great song on the album is 'Columbus'. This track offers a different perspective on the historical narrative that portrays Christopher Columbus as a hero. Burning Spear uses the lyrics to showcase the horrors and atrocities that Columbus committed, like the genocide of the indigenous people and exploitation of the Caribbean islands.

Most innovative parts of the album include the blend of rock and roll guitars and the traditional African drums. These influences make the album more diverse and engaging, setting it apart from other reggae albums. Also, the album features the use of traditional Rastafarian dialects, which further emphasizes the artist's African heritage.

As much as the album is impressive, there are some flaws. One of them is that the album is lyrically repetitive, making some songs monotonous and laborious to listen to. Also, the songs have muffled production, which detracts from the message the artist intends to deliver.

Overall, the 'Rasta Business' album is an excellent addition to reggae music. It's different from most reggae albums with its strong message on social issues and an anti-system stance. The diversity of music styles and the utilization of traditional Rastafarian dialects make the album unique. Although some of the songs are repetitive and have dull production, the album's message and Burning Spear's delivery strike a strong note. The album lives up to Burning Spear's reputation and the expectations of his fans.

Overall, the 'Rasta Business' album is an excellent addition to reggae music. It's different from most reggae albums with its strong message on social issues and an anti-system stance. The diversity of music styles and the utilization of traditional Rastafarian dialects make the album unique. Although some of the songs are repetitive and have dull production, the album's message and Burning Spear's delivery strike a strong note. The album lives up to Burning Spear's reputation and the expectations of his fans.