POP REVIEW : Reggae Veterans at the Greek

It’s a pity that reggae--the loping, hypnotic Jamaican rhythm--has never been much more than a novelty in this country. But at the “World Beat Tour ‘92” festival at the Greek Theatre on Thursday, it was clear that its fans are very passionate about it.

They went wild over veterans Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear and Toots & the Maytals, as well as relative newcomer Majek Fashek, a Nigerian artist who has made a mark--and impressed this crowd--with an innovative mix of reggae, rock and African rhythms.

Headliner Jimmy Cliff, who was instrumental in introducing reggae to the United States in the early ‘70s, got the strongest response. He delivered a foolproof mix of thumping reggae numbers and stirring songs that reflect his passion for political and environmental issues. His hymn-like classic, “Many Rivers to Cross,” never fails to generate goose bumps.

Next to late stars Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, Cliff has been the most riveting, charismatic performer in the genre. Technically he’s never been a great singer. His voice sometimes cracks and he’s not quite dead-on with many notes. But, because of his often overwhelming animation and exuberance, many of his songs had considerable impact.

Though his music isn’t nearly as eclectic as Cliff’s, Burning Spear (real name: Winston Rodney) has a better flair for basic, mid-tempo, mesmerizing reggae. As Rodney rambles on, you often lose track of what he’s singing about, but you can’t help swaying to the infectious rhythms that seep into your consciousness and completely overpower it. By the end of his set you could look around and see that many were deep into what aficionados call the Reggae Zone.

The “World Beat Tour ‘92” will be at the Pacific Amphitheatre today, with Nigerian juju musician King Sunny Ade added to the bill.