Burning Spear – Deep Cuts and Hidden Gems

An hour-long journey through rare, unreleased, and overlooked works from one of reggae’s deepest voices

Dubmatix

Jul 11, 2025

Transcript

(You can also grab the 320k mp3 download here)

Burning Spear—born Winston Rodney in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica—is not just a reggae artist; he is a vessel of history, resistance, and Rastafari wisdom. While his better-known songs, such as "Marcus Garvey," "Columbus," and "Slavery Days," defined 1970s roots reggae, there’s a rich body of lesser-known tracks that offer just as much power, insight, and sonic magic.

This one-hour mix delves into a deeper catalog: unreleased takes, dub versions, extended disco mixes, and forgotten B-sides that still resonate with Spear’s unwavering spiritual and political voice. These are songs for those ready to go beneath the surface.

Burning Spear: History, Impact, and Legacy

The Roots

Burning Spear's career began in the late 1960s, mentored early on by Bob Marley, who introduced him to Studio One.
His early recordings—such as “Door Peep Shall Not Enter”—showed a deep commitment to spiritual and cultural themes, long before “roots reggae” became a recognized genre.

Cultural Impact

Spear’s lyrics are grounded in Rastafari teachings, Pan-Africanism, and a burning desire to reclaim African identity.
His 1975 album Marcus Garvey (Island Records) was a breakthrough, pushing black consciousness to the global reggae stage. Songs honored Marcus Garvey as a prophet and challenged colonial narratives.

Musical Style

Known for his chanting vocal delivery—half song, half sermon—Spear’s music combines minimalist rhythm sections, Nyabinghi drums, and horn-heavy arrangements.
His dubs are meditative, his choruses chant-like, and his production often raw and hypnotic.

Legacy

Nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, with two wins (2000’s Calling Rastafari and 2009’s Jah Is Real).
Still performing into his 70s, Spear remains a powerful stage presence, proving his music is timeless, not trendy.

Why These Deep Cuts Matter

These tracks are less polished than the hits, but that’s what makes them special. They give us Spear unfiltered:

“Swell Head” and “Free Black People” deliver raw lyrical fire.
“Dub Man” and “Natural (Version)” showcase deep echo chamber explorations.
“Do The Reggae (12” Mix) and “Institution (Disco Mix)” are prime examples of Spear navigating dancefloor grooves while still keeping his roots intact.

These are songs that slipped through the cracks—not because they lacked quality, but because the mainstream couldn’t always hold the depth of Spear’s message.

Final Words

Burning Spear’s deep cuts are reminders that reggae was never meant to be background music. It’s a protest. It’s meditation. It’s soul work. And sometimes, you have to dig below the hits to hear the heart.