Jah Is Real [Digipak] (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Burning Spear (vocals, percussion, background vocals); Brian Thorn, Donovan Mackity, Linford Carby, Andy Bassford, Cecil Ordonez, Ian Coleman (guitar); Blessed Donald Toney, Jerry Johnson (saxophone); Kevin Batchelor (trumpet); Jason Jackson (trombone); William Berlind, Lawrence Lewis, Kennedy Simmonds, Michael Hyde (keyboards); David Rekhley, I Palmer (bass guitar); Howard Smith (drums); Joanne Williams, Marie Thomas, The Late Show's Gospel Choir, Lady Peachena (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Christopher Daley.

Audio Remasterer: Chris Gehringer.

Recording information: Magic Shop Studio.

Arranger: Burning Spear.

It's almost unreal to hear how vital Burning Spear (aka Winston Rodney) sounds on JAH IS REAL. No doubt spurred by righteous indignation at the demise of reggae's industry support, the reggae/dub legend channels that anger through peaceful pleas, spiritual stands, and head-nodding rhythms on standouts like "The Cruise" and "Run For Your Life." But it's the electrifying addition of Parliament members Bootsy Collins on bass and Bernie Worrell on keyboards that give REAL its resonant sting. The oft-pigeonholed Collins, in particular, integrates himself with joyous restraint. On JAH, Rodney proves that musical protest can still happen without screaming at a wall. minimize