Ultimate Collection

Burning Spear

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Ultimate Collection Review

by Jason Birchmeier

Calling this album Burning Spear's Ultimate Collection is overstating things a bit. Sure, nearly every song here can be considered one of his best, but there's a lot missing here -- a problem that has marred his other previously released best-ofs, in particular the nearly "ultimate collection" Chant Down Babylon: The Island Anthology. Like that album, Hip-O's attempt at the definitive Burning Spear compilation focuses mostly on his mid- to late-'70s output -- the Marcus Garvey, Man in the Hills, Dry & Heavy, and Social Living albums -- along with a few choice selections from his early-'80s albums, Hail H.I.M. and The Fittest of the Fittest. And one can't really argue with Hip-O. As mentioned, everything they've chosen is first-rate, even if it makes it seem as if Burning Spear's post-early-'80s efforts were futile. But there is a problem with Hip-O's logic -- not necessarily for them but rather a problem for fans looking to pick up a quality best-of. What they've done here is essentially released a consolidated one-disc version of the more comprehensive yet still problematic Chant Down Babylon anthology. While that may be wonderful for neophytes looking for a cheap, simple buy, it's frustrating for existing fans who are still waiting for the "ultimate collection" that this album masquerades itself as. For those who are still waiting for an ultimate collection of Burning Spear's work, this isn't it, even if it's stacked with great songs. But for those who are looking for a simple, economical single-disc compilation of early career highlights, and could care less how comprehensive the selections are, this will satisfy.

Track Listing

	Title/Composer	Performer	Time	Stream
1	Marcus Garvey Philip Fullwood / Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:28	Spotify Amazon
2	The Invasion Philip Fullwood / Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:21	Spotify Amazon
3	Red, Gold, and Green Philip Fullwood / Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:13	Spotify Amazon
4	Workshop Philip Fullwood / Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	04:32
5	Mother Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:37	Spotify Amazon
6	Man in the Hills Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:58	Spotify Amazon
7	Door Peep Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	02:39	Spotify Amazon
8	Dry and Heavy Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:30	Spotify Amazon
9	Throw Down Your Arms Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	04:07	Spotify Amazon
10	Institution Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:30	Spotify Amazon
11	Jah No Dead Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	02:09	Spotify Amazon
12	Social Living Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	04:31	Spotify Amazon
13	Marcus Children Suffer Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	04:38	Spotify Amazon
14	The Fittest of the Fittest Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:45	Spotify Amazon
15	Road Foggy Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:34	Spotify Amazon
16	Columbus Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:36	Spotify Amazon
17	Fire Man Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	04:06	Spotify Amazon
18	Mek We Dweet Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	04:19	Spotify Amazon
19	Should I Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	04:11	Spotify Amazon
20	Jah Kingdom Patricia Elliott / Winston Rodney	Burning Spear	03:54	Spotify Amazon

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Ultimate Collection Review

Track Listing

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