Rare and Unreleased cover

Rare and Unreleased

Burning Spear · 2001

61 min · 12 tracks · dub music · roots reggae

A collection of deep-rooted dub and reggae rhythms infused with spiritual and political messages.

Why this album works

This compilation album highlights Burning Spear's significant contributions to reggae music, featuring mixes that reveal different facets of their work. While it did not chart prominently, it has been appreciated by fans and collectors for its showcase of previously unavailable material, solidifying the band's enduring legacy within the genre.
Best for
spiritual reflections during quiet moments dynamic shifts in emotional intensity long-form listening with varied pacing
Context
By the time 'Rare and Unreleased' was released in 2001, Burning Spear had already established themselves as a pivotal figure in roots reggae. This album showcases unreleased tracks alongside alternative mixes from their earlier works, reflecting the evolution of their sound through the years. It captures a moment of reflection for the artist, following their last studio album 'Jah Nuh Dead' in 1999.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Slavery Days (jungle dub mix) Standout 6:20
  • 2 Marcus Children (original mix) 6:49
  • 3 Mandela Marcus (unreleased version) Standout 6:25
  • 4 We Suffer (original mix) 7:49
  • 5 Come (original mix) 3:53
  • 6 Marcus Say (original mix) 3:53
  • 7 Zion I Awake (original mix) 4:05
  • 8 The Force (unreleased version) 3:18
  • 9 Marcus Senior (original mix) 5:12
  • 10 We Pray (original mix) 3:32
  • 11 Do the Reggae (12" mix) 7:13
  • 12 Mister Garvey (original mix) Standout 3:17

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata