Artist: Burning Spear Album: Social Living

Year: 1980
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: Social Living by Burning Spear

Reggae music has been comforting for a long time to those who need a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The genre has so much to offer and pioneers like Bob Marley and Burning Spear have been influential in the success of reggae music. Burning Spear has been in the industry for decades, and his album Social Living is still enjoyed by many. In this blog post, we are going to take a deep dive into the album, the artist, the genre, and offer a critical review of Social Living.

Burning Spear was born Winston Rodney in 1945 in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica. He was influenced by his Rastafarian belief and the hardships he faced throughout his life which gave him a unique perspective that is still apparent in his music to this day. Social Living was released in 1978, two years after he debuted his first album Studio One Presents Burning Spear. This was an exciting time for reggae music, and the roots reggae movement was at its peak. The album consists of ten tracks and was produced by Winston Rodney.

In terms of genre, Social Living is pure roots reggae. The album features his signature politically and spiritually charged lyrics and his soothing voice over strong, heavy beats and solid basslines. It is an album that speaks to the heart and the soul. From track one, Marcus Garvey, to track ten, Civilized Reggae, there is no denying that this album is Burning Spear's most passionate work.

In the album, Social Living, we can find some of the artist's best songs such as Marcus Garvey, Social Living, and Door Peep. Marcus Garvey is a powerful track with thought-provoking lyrics about Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican black nationalist who was an advocate for black self-reliance. Social Living is a heart-warming track that promotes brotherhood and unity. Door Peep is a classic love song that shows Burning Spear's vocal range.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is how it incorporates different elements of Jamaican music. There are echoes of rocksteady, ska, and dub, which demonstrates the versatility of Burning Spear's talent. He was able to blend different music genres to create a unique sound that is still relevant to this day.

In terms of criticism, the album has a minimalistic approach in its sound production as there is a lack of reverb or delay effect. This limits the album's depth and could be a turn-off for some listeners who are used to the modern sound production techniques. However, that does not take away from the album's potency and overall importance.

The album Social Living by Burning Spear is a testament to his legacy in the reggae music industry. The album captures the essence of roots reggae, and his lyrics still resonate with today's world. His choice to blend different music genres in the album was groundbreaking, and the album is still considered a classic. If you are a fan of reggae music, this album is a must-listen. It is a perfect example of how an artist can use music to drive social and political change, and it is a blueprint for generations to come.

The album Social Living by Burning Spear is a testament to his legacy in the reggae music industry. The album captures the essence of roots reggae, and his lyrics still resonate with today's world. His choice to blend different music genres in the album was groundbreaking, and the album is still considered a classic. If you are a fan of reggae music, this album is a must-listen. It is a perfect example of how an artist can use music to drive social and political change, and it is a blueprint for generations to come.