Burning, The Wailers

The Wailers – Burnin'

Artist: The Wailers (Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer)

Title: Burnin'

Album Type: Sixth Studio Album

Original Release Date: October 19, 1973

Label: Island Records

Genre: Roots Reggae

Background & Production Burnin' is a monumental release in music history, serving as the final studio album to feature the original "Holy Trinity" of reggae: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer. Recorded at Harry J. Studios in Kingston and produced by Chris Blackwell and The Wailers, the album was a direct, militant response to the group’s rising international profile. While their previous album, Catch a Fire, was polished for a rock audience, Burnin' returned to a rawer, more confrontational sound. It captured the band at a crossroads—stepping into global stardom while remaining deeply rooted in the political and spiritual struggles of Jamaica.

Musical Composition & Style The album is a masterclass in Roots Reggae, defined by its "one-drop" rhythms and themes of social justice, revolution, and Rastafarian faith.

• The Global Anthem: "I Shot the Sheriff" is the album's most famous track. While it became a #1 hit for Eric Clapton a year later, the original version is prized for its tension, sparse arrangement, and Marley’s defiant vocal delivery.

• The Call to Action: "Get Up, Stand Up" (co-written by Marley and Tosh) became a universal anthem for human rights and remains one of the most covered and influential songs in the history of protest music.

• The Roots Revivals: The album includes re-recorded versions of early Wailers favorites like "Small Axe" and "Duppy Conqueror," giving them a deeper, heavier "dread" sound that matched the band's maturing ideology.

• Militant Soul: Songs like "Burnin' and Lootin'" and "Pass It On" showcase the vocal harmonies that made the trio legendary, blending soul sensibilities with the urgency of the Kingston streets.

Legacy & Collector Notes Burnin' was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry for its cultural significance. For vinyl collectors, original Island Records "Pink Rim" labels or the 1970s "Blue Rim/Palm Tree" pressings are highly coveted for their warm, heavy bass response. It is the definitive bridge between the band’s vocal-group origins and Marley’s solo dominance. An essential inventory item for any shop focusing on Reggae, political music, or the most influential albums of the 20th century.

• Keywords: The Wailers, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Burnin, Island Records, 1973 Vinyl, Roots Reggae, Get Up Stand Up, I Shot The Sheriff.

• Collection Ideas: Reggae Icons, The Holy Trinity of Reggae, Essential Protest Albums, 70s Masterpieces.

• Related Artists: Peter Tosh (Solo), Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear, Toots & The Maytals, The Abyssinians.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve