Right now, we’re smack dab in the middle of Summerfest here in the Milwaukee area. Last night I was at an outstanding show where Burning Spear (a.k.a. Winston Rodney) and his band performed one of the best reggae concerts I’ve ever attended.

Burning Spear first started making records in Jamaica in the early 1970s. His masterpiece, Marcus Garvey is a cornerstone of the roots reggae movement of that time and definitely belongs in any reggae fan’s library. They didn’t wait for the encore to perform material from that album either. Just a few songs into the concert the band played excellent renditions of the title track and “Slavery Days.”

Songs from Burning Spear’s newer releases sounded just as good. “Trust” from lasts year’s album Freeman, stood out for me as one of the best songs of the show.

Hearing Burning Spear’s deep voice sing along with the band’s grooving rhythms, while seeing his grey beard and dreadlocks, made me feel like I was listening to some kind of Reggae Zen Master teach me thought provoking aspects of life I hadn’t considered before. The reggae music he and his band played made those lessons a perfect fit for the warm summer evening last night.