Customer Rating: 
Summary: Spear Is Real
Comment: 39 years later the Spear Burns strong as ever. 21st century roots reggae from one of the founding fathers of the genre.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Strong Release
Comment: This album exceeded my expectations as I was not so swayed by his other recent releases. This one takes you back and I guess I'm more impressed with the quality of production on this one. Some of the familiar elements are there such as the prevalent horns and the formula is still there so you always know you are listening to a Burning Spear song. Of course the message is still strong, I don't expect anything less. I'm still digesting it all so I don't have any standout tracks but they all seem to have their own strengths and I don't hear any fillers. I'm fond of "Step It", "Run For Your Life" and "One Africa". A little odd may be the jungle remix of 'Step It' at the end, to which I haven't heard that genre of reggae in a long time which made it interesting. A great album!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A much-needed message not for just Africa, but also the world at large
Comment: Reggae artist Burning Spear, who chose his music name in honor of Kenyan freedom fighter and first president Jomo Kenyatta, presents his latest album in a decades-long career promoting peace, unity, and love. Burning Spear has traveled to violence-torn Nairobi at the behest of the United Nations to offer the positive influence of his music; now listeners across the globe can feel his strong, positive message of self-reliance, African unity, and respect for one's fellow man in Jah is Real. After bitter disputes with record labels and distributors, Burning Spear has learned the hard way that the best way to ensure he receives proper compensation for his music is to release it himself; fans of the music and the man can rest assured that buying this CD fully supports the artist. Bass guitar and keyboard music form the rhythmic, captivating background for roughly half of the tracks, in this album conveying a much-needed message not for just Africa, but also the world at large. The tracks are "The Cruise", "Step It", "You Were Wrong", "Run for Your Life", "Jah Is Real", "People in High Places", "One Africa", "Grandfather", "Wickedness", "Stick to the Plan", "No Compromise", "700 Strong", "Grassroot", and "Step It Remix".
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very Meaningful Music With A Positive Message
Comment: So far, "Jah Is Real" is by far the best roots release of 2008. The music is comfortable and vital, and Burning Spear's lyrics are delivered in a meditative, chanting fashion certain to calm any listener. He reaches startling levels of emotional and spiritual intelligence with these songs -- especially on "One Africa" and "No Compromise." I have had to listen to this album several times to uncover its many messages, and I'll bet there are still more to come. Burning Spear's band sounds very full and rich, and the creative ideas are fresh and original while still maintaining Burning Spear's spiritual music values. Strong, flavorful vocal harmonies and horn riffs further enhance Burning Spear's message of peace, upliftment and wisdom. The music is top-shelf, and the energy is positive. Reggae fans will definitely feel grateful for this album.
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