Man from the Hils

Rip It Up, Issue 9, 1 March 1978, Page 10

Man from the Hils

Burning Spear Live Island

In a career spanning five years, Burning Spear have established a reputation in the reggae recording field that is, to say the least, enviable. Their potent, driving sound, usually aided by ace producer Jack Ruby, has built them a solid following among “roots" reggae lovers, and now looks set to break the sound internationally. Winston Rodney, always the heart and soul of the vocal trio, was left on his own to record the latest studio release, Dry and Heavy , and this new, live offering. The earlier albums, Marcus Garvey and Man In The Hills have achieved classic status, and little wonder. Rodney, at 29, has a voice and lyrical depth of a man twice his age. His intensity of feeling is etched into every groove. He can turn the word "no" into a fervent cry of entreaty or a shout of defiance. He embodies all the power and warmth that is the root of reggae. Now that Rodney is solo, Island Records seem intent on turning him into the sort of celebrity that Bob Marley has become.

Mlfiit|worKsr|it|wi ll| be an admirable achievement, simply for getting a wider audience interested in Burning Spear's music. But the task may not be as easy as it was with Marley.

Rodney is a rural Jamaican, not a Kingston man. His music is not so easily accessible. Spear needs time to appreciate, but the effort is well rewarded.

Live shows Rodney’s strengths and weaknesses. Without the counterpoint singing of Rupert Willington and Delroy Hines, Rodney sounds sparser than ever, and the strength of the hook lines of the songs is sometimes lost. This is most apparent on the live version of "Man In The Hills". That reservation aside, this album is spontaneous combustion. Recorded in London last October, it features the best of Jamaica's session men, whose empathy with Rodney and each other shines throughout. The audience is ectatic and Winston Rodney is triumphant. • Not perhaps an ideal introduction to Burning Spear, listen to Man In The Hills first, to get the feel. Then don’t hesitate to buy.

Duncan Campbell