Man in the Hills

AMG Review of Man in the Hills

Brian Beatty
All Music Guide

Winston Rodney embraces the pastoral much the same way he renounces slavery and oppression. Too bad this album still falls short of the remarkable Marcus Garvey. Producer Jack Ruby can't be blamed; the musical backing provided by the Black Disciples will thrill fans of the oots reggae sound. And the man in question's hypnotic chants are no less hypnotic or inspired. But idyllic recollections of anybody's upbringing are destined to lack a certain prophetic weight. Radicalism and protest are what many listeners have come to expect from Burning Spear. And it's only these selfish expectations that miss the mark.