BURNING SPEAR – “Creation Rebel”
Heartbeat, 2004

Fabulous set of early Burning Spear sessions for the legendary Studio One label, 1969-1974. Don’t be fooled by the word “early”. Spear wasn’t trying to find himself in these days, he knew exactly what he wanted to say, and was a pioneer in conscious roots reggae. Not quite essential, but darned close, with many previously rare mixes and tracks never before on CD.

Fo’s picks: 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20

1. 3:11 – serious rastaman groove
2. 2:41 – positive, high backing vox
3. 3:03 – dragging feel, odd melody
4. 2:40 – uptempo, plaintive vocal
5. 3:23 – optimistic and very loose
6. 2:30 – positive, bubbly, dancey
7. 3:12 – upbeat rasta anthem
8. 3:19 – serious; good guitar/bass
9. 3:05 – sweet vocal, muddy music
10. 2:32 – good rhythm, poetic lyric
11. 3:05 – catchy, but very simple
12. 2:43 – upbeat, loose vocals
13. 2:37 – strong rhythm, positive
14. 2:47 – happy, sing-song vox
15. 2:43 – uptempo, with organ
16. 2:05 – short ‘n’ sweet
17. 2:56 – a love song! very nice.
18. 1:59 – heavy lyric, heavy bass
19. 3:06 – relaxed bounce, fun vox
20. 2:44 – wild vox, strong beat