2; Burning Spear - Farover; Burning Spear - The Fittest Of The Fittest; Burning Spear - Reggae Greats; Burning Spear - Resistance; Burning Spear - People Of.
A surprisingly prophetic song, Burning Spear readies for life's marathon on 'Fittest of the Fittest,' the song which aptly titled the artist's 1983 album. The early '80s had been a time of upheaval for Winston Rodney, and having survived a move from the Island label to EMI, and then to Heartbeat in the U.S., he seemed to lose his bearings with Farover.
Many roots artists were stumbling at this time, marginalized by the political swing to the right in Jamaica and the steady erosion of their audience by DJs in the dancehalls. A number of groups now called it a day, but Spear was determined to burn on, and 'Fittest' captures the feel of the endurance training so necessary to continue down the marathon of roots' road.
The newly formed Burning Band lays down a surging rhythm, drummer Nelson Miller snapping at one's heels and Anthony Bradshaw's throbbing bass prodding the runner on. The brass section blows encouragement, while guitarists Michael Wilson and Devon Bradshaw run with the riffs and pick up the pace with scorching leads. With a variety of guesting musicians adding to the density of the sound, 'Fittest' sounds heavy, but still impels the listener along his way.
Overhead, Rodney chants the title like a mantra, and 'I'm a roadrunner' like his own personal anthem. If so, it was effective, but all glory still goes to Jah and H.I.M. Haile Selassie, of course. Across 'Fittest,' Rodney seems to be drawing strength and power from within and without, aware of the long road ahead of him, determined to go the distance. A new day had dawned and there was no stopping Spear now.
Appears On
Year | Artist/Album | Label | Time | AllMusic Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
1983 | Capitol / EMI Records / Heartbeat | 3:48 | ||
2001 | Hip-O | 3:45 | ||
2001 | EMI Music Distribution | 3:47 |
The Fittest of the Fittest | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1983 | |||
Recorded | 1983 | |||
Genre | Reggae | |||
Length | 35:12 | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Producer | Burning Music Production Burning Band | |||
Burning Spear chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | link |
The Fittest of the Fittest is a studio album released by Burning Spear in 1983.
- 3Musicians
Track listing[edit]
All tracks composed by Winston Rodney
- 'The Fittest of the Fittest'
- 'Fire Man'
- 'Bad to Worst'
- 'Repatriation'
- 'Old Boy Garvey'
- '2000 Years'
- 'For You'
- 'In Africa'
- 'Vision'
Credits[edit]
- Engineered by Errol Brown
- Assistant Engineer: Chris Lewis
- Mixed by Winston Rodney and Errol Brown
- Recorded and mixed at Tuff Gong Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica
- Original art and design by Wicked and Wild
- Original photography by Howard Liebowitz, M.D.
- Original typography and inner bag design by Keith Breeded (Assorted Images) and The Printed Word
Musicians[edit]
Burning Band[edit]
- Winston Rodney - vocals, percussion
- Bobby Ellis - trumpet, flugelhorn
- Herman Marquis - saxophone
- Anthony Bradshaw - bass
- Nelson Miller - drums, percussion
- Michael Wilson - lead guitar, rhythm guitar
- Devon Bradshaw - rhythm guitar, lead guitar
- Anthony Johnson - keyboards
Additional musicians[edit]
- Aston 'Family Man' Barrett - bass (track 3)
- Tyrone 'Organ D' Downie - keyboards (track 3)
- Earl 'Wire' Lindo - keyboards (track 3)
- Junior Marvin - guitar (track 3)
- David Madden - trumpet
- Glen Dacosta - saxophone
- Barry Bailey - trombone
- Calvin Cameron - trombone
- Alvin Haughton - percussion
- Winston Wright - piano, clavinet
- Bobby Kalphat - organ
- Robbie Lyn - organ
- Peter Ashbourne - Prophet 5
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