| Burning
Spear is Winston Rodney. But originally,
Burning spear was a vocal group, very much
like the Wailers. And like The Wailing
Wailers became Bob Marley and the Wailers,
Burning Spear became Winston Rodney.
After debuting for Clement Dodd's Studio
One, where he released tracks like Door
Peep, Spear went on and eventually landed on
Island Records. For this label, that already
had Bob Marley and the Wailers signed, he
made a number of Roots Reggae albums of
which Hail H.I.M. really stands out.
According to "the Rough Guide of
Reggae", Hail H.I.M. is even "the
final classic album by Burning Spear". Of course,
people would (dis)agree with that, but there
will be no disagreement over the enormous
quality presented on the album.
When you realize, that the album was
released in 1980, you will be amazed over
the fact that the sound quality is truly
superb. Burning Spear's militant and raw
vocals go very well over the tight Roots
Reggae played by Bob Marley's backing band,
the Wailers.
Final classic or not, there is no debate:
this is a classic. If you would only be able
to have one Burning Spear Album, this would
be your choice.
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