The final album by the original Wailers, Burnin' ranks as one of the music's very greatest achievements. That it contained the original version of a song that helped introduce reggae to America, "I Shot the Sheriff," seems the least of its virtues. The disc captures everything that made the Wailers great, from ethereal yet earthy harmonies to a deep-rooted spirituality paired with a tough-mindedness rare in popular music. The likes of "Burnin' and Lootin'" are both painful and defiant statements of purpose, communicating with a sharp directness. The mellow "Rasta Man Chant" may be the record's high point, entwining the Wailers' messages of social justice and musicality. This is an album to commune with. The expanded re-mastered version contains three bonus cuts, while the deluxe edition adds even more, including a dozen live performances from 1973, the year of Burnin's original release.