Burning Spear and Friends - Call On Me (Burning Spear Music)

Anyone expecting an album filled with reinterpretations of classic Burning Spear hits, however, may be in for a surprise. As the title already somewhat suggests, 'Call On Me' has essentially become something of a one-riddim album. 

Everything revolves around Spear's Studio One hit 'Call On You' (later reissued as 'The Sun'), with artists such as Luciano, Alpha Blondy, Hempress Sativa and Jesse Royal each given the space to put their own spin on it. Since the track was recorded live during the Do The Reggae Tour in 2025, the album almost feels as if Spear is continuously inviting a different guest on stage. 

We were particularly taken with the contributions of Luciano ('Are You Ready'), Jesse Royal ('Give Rastafari Praise'), and Alpha Blondy, who completely makes the tune his own with 'Yako Jamaica' ("Stay Strong, Jamaica"). 

Part of the proceeds from 'Call On Me' will go to the victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, while Winston Rodney also uses the album to raise awareness for illnesses such as cancer and dementia; the latter especially personal to Winston, as his wife Sonya is living with frontotemporal dementia.

Burning Spear will perform at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on Thursday, July 2.