For most people, Jamaican music is synonymous with reggae. In this genre, the most famous artist is probably the late Bob Marley. For those who love roots reggae, however, no music collection is complete without Burning Spear music.
Roots reggae usually deals with the daily lives of Rastafarians, including their religious beliefs and the social and political challenges they face. Bob Marley is probably the most renowned roots reggae artist, followed by Peter Tosh. However, another highly respected musician in this genre is Winston Rodney, aka Burning Spear.
Burning Spear is the stage name of Winston Rodney, even though it was originally the name of Rodney's group. The name comes from the English translation of 'Jomo'. This was in honor of Jomo Kenyatta, who was a leader in the Mau Mau Rebellion and later became the first president of an independent Kenya.
Winston Rodney was born in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica in the late 1940s. After they met in 1969, fellow Saint Ann's Bay native Bob Marley referred Rodney and his partner Rupert Willington to the Studio One record label in Kingston, Jamaica to audition. This led to the release of the duo's debut single 'Door Peep'. The group expanded to become a trio and released several more singles. Their first big hit was 'Joe Frazier (He Prayed)' and their debut album was called 'Studio One Presents Burning Spear'.
The single 'Marcus Garvey' was released in the mid-seventies. Garvey was a Jamaican activist known for his support of Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism. Rastafarians regard him as one of their religion's most important prophets.
Soon after the release of 'Marcus Garvey', the single 'Slavery Days' followed. These two tracks are Burning Spear's most famous songs and appear on the band's third album, called 'Marcus Garvey'. For this album, the group worked with the studio band the Black Disciples, which featured musicians like bassist Robbie Shakespeare of Sly and Robbie fame. Today the 'Marcus Garvey' album is still an icon of roots reggae with its laid-back, almost hypnotic sound. Following hot on its heels was a dub remix of the album. This was called 'Garvey's Ghost'.
Rodney left the band in 1976 and took on the name Burning Spear as his own. At first he continued working with the Black Disciples, but over the years he also worked with other famous names in reggae circles, including the British reggae band Aswad, drummer Sly Dunbar and trombonist Rico Rodriguez. In fact, it was with Aswad as his backing band that he recorded his first live album, 'Live' in the late seventies.
First with the group and then as solo artist, Rodney has released twenty-eight studio albums as well as six live albums and sixteen compilation albums. He was nominated for his first Grammy in 1986, for 'Resistance' as Best Reggae Album. A further eleven Grammy nominations followed and the artist has received the award twice: 'Calling Rastafari' garnered the award in 2000 and 'Jah is Real' got it in 2009.
Winston Rodney was awarded Jamaica's Order of Distinction in 2007. Even though he is now based in New York, he still returns to Jamaica to record. He also tours extensively, taking his Burning Spear music to audiences around the world.
Roots reggae usually deals with the daily lives of Rastafarians, including their religious beliefs and the social and political challenges they face. Bob Marley is probably the most renowned roots reggae artist, followed by Peter Tosh. However, another highly respected musician in this genre is Winston Rodney, aka Burning Spear.
Burning Spear is the stage name of Winston Rodney, even though it was originally the name of Rodney's group. The name comes from the English translation of 'Jomo'. This was in honor of Jomo Kenyatta, who was a leader in the Mau Mau Rebellion and later became the first president of an independent Kenya.
Winston Rodney was born in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica in the late 1940s. After they met in 1969, fellow Saint Ann's Bay native Bob Marley referred Rodney and his partner Rupert Willington to the Studio One record label in Kingston, Jamaica to audition. This led to the release of the duo's debut single 'Door Peep'. The group expanded to become a trio and released several more singles. Their first big hit was 'Joe Frazier (He Prayed)' and their debut album was called 'Studio One Presents Burning Spear'.
The single 'Marcus Garvey' was released in the mid-seventies. Garvey was a Jamaican activist known for his support of Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism. Rastafarians regard him as one of their religion's most important prophets.
Soon after the release of 'Marcus Garvey', the single 'Slavery Days' followed. These two tracks are Burning Spear's most famous songs and appear on the band's third album, called 'Marcus Garvey'. For this album, the group worked with the studio band the Black Disciples, which featured musicians like bassist Robbie Shakespeare of Sly and Robbie fame. Today the 'Marcus Garvey' album is still an icon of roots reggae with its laid-back, almost hypnotic sound. Following hot on its heels was a dub remix of the album. This was called 'Garvey's Ghost'.
Rodney left the band in 1976 and took on the name Burning Spear as his own. At first he continued working with the Black Disciples, but over the years he also worked with other famous names in reggae circles, including the British reggae band Aswad, drummer Sly Dunbar and trombonist Rico Rodriguez. In fact, it was with Aswad as his backing band that he recorded his first live album, 'Live' in the late seventies.
First with the group and then as solo artist, Rodney has released twenty-eight studio albums as well as six live albums and sixteen compilation albums. He was nominated for his first Grammy in 1986, for 'Resistance' as Best Reggae Album. A further eleven Grammy nominations followed and the artist has received the award twice: 'Calling Rastafari' garnered the award in 2000 and 'Jah is Real' got it in 2009.
Winston Rodney was awarded Jamaica's Order of Distinction in 2007. Even though he is now based in New York, he still returns to Jamaica to record. He also tours extensively, taking his Burning Spear music to audiences around the world.
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