Is Our Music a good place to start with Burning Spear?

Yes, Our Music is recommended as a starting point for new Burning Spear listeners. A vibrant blend of roots reggae rhythms and dub textures, anchored by Burning Spear’s commanding vocal presence. In 2005, Burning Spear released Our Music as his first studio album in nearly a decade, following the 1999 album, Calling Rastafari. The album reflects a mature artistry honed through years of performing and recording, positioning him as an enduring icon in reggae music during a resurgence of interest in the genre.

Who is Our Music for?

Our Music works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove, soulful melodies for relaxation and meditative listening experience.

How many songs are on Our Music?

Our Music has 11 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

Our Music

Burning Spear · 2005

55 min · 11 tracks · dub music

A vibrant blend of roots reggae rhythms and dub textures, anchored by Burning Spear’s commanding vocal presence.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Our Music Start here — The title track encapsulates the essence of the album, featuring a powerful call to unity that showcases Burning Spear's soulful delivery and deep-rooted lyrics.
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Down in Jamaica — This track transports listeners to the heart of Jamaica, blending nostalgic references with rich musicality, reflecting on cultural pride and identity.
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O’ Rastaman (ext. mix) — The extended mix allows for deeper exploration of the song's themes, highlighting Burning Spear’s ability to weave complex narratives through music while maintaining a meditative groove.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends roots reggae and dub elements, showcasing mature artistry while maintaining a cohesive sound.

What we noticed

The album features extended mixes of several tracks, allowing for deeper exploration of rhythm and sound.
Each track maintains a steady tempo, with layered instrumentation that emphasizes the dub style.
The use of echo and reverb effects is prominent, creating a spacious sound that invites listener immersion.
Vocals are present but often serve as an additional texture rather than the primary focus, characteristic of the genre.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove
soulful melodies for relaxation
meditative listening experience
for communal gatherings

Maybe skip if you

seekers of fast-paced tracks
prefer standalone singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — This album marks a significant return and showcases mature artistry after nearly a decade.
Career context: In 2005, Burning Spear released Our Music as his first studio album in nearly a decade, following the 1999 album, Calling Rastafari. The album reflects a mature artistry honed through years of performing and recording, positioning him as an enduring icon in reggae music during a resurgence of interest in the genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Peter Tosh· Black Uhuru· Culture