Grammy Award Winning Reggae Legend Burning Spear to Release New Album 'Our Music' on September 20, 2005

LOS ANGELES (Lori Lousararian) - Reggae icon Burning Spear will release his new upcoming album nationwide entitled OUR MUSIC,on September 20 - the follow-up to his 2003 Grammy-nominated FREEMAN. Spear will also be hitting the road to perform special live acoustic sets for audiences, with a more intimate feel, in cities across the U.S.

Spear's tour will begin on September 9 in the following cities and venues: September 9, Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA; September 20, House Of Blues, New Orleans, LA; September 17, House Of Blues, Chicago, IL; September 20, Irving Plaza, New York; September 23, Adirondack Festival, Syracuse, NY; September 24, Gothic Theatre, Denver, CO; October 1, Suedes, Salt Lake City, UT. More dates TBA.

For more than 35 years, Burning Spear's music--thus his life--has inspired people on numerous continents; and has been one of the leading reggae artists to popularize and pioneer reggae music in the U.S. Since the beginning, his songs have implored listeners to fight oppression in all its forms, to work at improving their own condition and to consider the social impact of their actions.

In the midst of its expected messages about love, oppression and African history, OUR MUSIC is a public confirmation that his brand of positive messaging is tempered with a strong sense of self. OUR MUSIC stands among the most joyful albums of his career.

The album features throbbing basslines, bright horn parts and slinky female background singers; and the songs embrace persistence Try Again, self-analysis Friends, love Fix Me and community Together through deceptively simple lyrics that point to deeper issues -- smart music you can dance to. OUR MUSIC builds upon the Jamaican native's legacy of musical activism; and with its inimitable dancing groove, the album percolates and bubbles rhythmically in its call for unity between races, between nations, between individuals and even between business associates.

Of his more than 25 albums, nine have earned Grammy nominations, with one of them--1999's CALLIN RASTAFARI--receiving the Academy's Best Reggae Album honor. He remains one of the few reggae pioneers still working and influencing the people today.