Burning Spear

Winston Rodney has never strayed far from the well of his inspiration. He has steered the Burning Spear ship with a steady hand, toward the purest Rasta ideology. His new album Jah Is Real is no exception. Everything is exactly in place. Chanted, repetitive statements of faith and fact, rock solid beat, punchy horns embellishing every song and Mr. Rodney’s unique brand of charisma imbuing every moment of the album. He is joined on a handful of songs by the legendary funk pioneers Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell, and what we learn is that the Spear is mightier than the Mothership. Collins and Worrell sound as though they have always been playing Reggae, especially Bootsy who is completely on the money.

It is comforting to have an artist keep his high standards and produce album after album of this kind of rewarding music. Perhaps it is the fact that Mr. Rodney owns his own label now and totally controls his career and artistic direction. He addresses the pitfalls of the music business quite forcefully on the song “Run For Your Life.”

In conjunction with the new album and our upcoming instore performance with Burning Spear ( September 19th at 6pm) Mr. Rodney agreed to answer a few questions for Twist and Shout. Here are his words:

7 questions for Burning Spear

1) Do you have any feelings about the upcoming American election? –

Yes I think it's great that we will have a young President for all the people of the United States. What we have to remind many Mr. Barack Obama is not a civil right leader, he is running for the highest office in the world. To be a leader for all the people and the color of his skin shouldn’t matter.

2) Is Barack Obama a significant figure to you? -
Yes, he speak with such poised, and I love how he call for a changes. And the term yes we can. And in deed we all can make a different if we try.

3) What do you feel are the biggest issues facing humans on this earth right now? –
someone taking too much while others get now. The need for peace and not war

4) Can music heal the world? -
yes

5) It is obvious from your new album that you are connected to music outside of Reggae?
Yes
Can you list a few things you are grooving to right now?
Erica latest album and I love Ben harper

6) Has the mission changed for you over the years? -
No

7) How has the experience of owning your own label been compared to working for other people’s labels? –
wow what a great feeling to be in control and to finally get paid for the sales of my records. Independent means freedom to I man Spear.
What advice would you give up and coming musicians?
Never sign any contract or agreement and to stick to the plan.