Sizzla: Black Woman & Child - 1997

Sizzla (Manuel Collins) is a contemporary (1995 to the present day) dancehall/ragga/chanter of an artist who soon became one of the pioneers of the unexpected Bobo Ashanti sub-genre, which emerged from a small branch of Rastafarianism to be one of the main influences on reggae in the post-2000s. 

Bobo Dread merged dancehall/ragga-style rap delivery and beats with Rastafarian fervour and righteousness in stark contrast to the guns/drugs/sexist bragadocio of many ragga/slack artists from the same period. The artists tended to wear turbans too, like Ethiopians or Malians. Sizzla's work is uplifting, melodic and innovative, using all sorts of rhythms, lilting brass, tuneful bass lines, as well as acoustic guitars (rather like Buju Banton, to whom he is vocally similar at times). Another contemporary of Sizzla's is Capleton. 

This is Sizzla's most influential and rightfully critically-acclaimed early album. In contrast again with many reggae albums from the same period, its message is politically and socially positive. There is certainly no "I know he's sexist, but..." in reaction to Sizzla's music, which can only be a good thing. 

The highlights are Give Them The Ride, the afore-mentioned Love Is DivineMake It SecureOne Away (which sampled Satta Massa Gana), No Time To GazeBabylon Use De Brain and the rough, hard-edged and soulful title track, Black Woman & Child

The album is notable, like some of Buju Banton's, for its variety of instrumentation and rhythms utilised, as well as its harder ragga beats. I have seen it described as a set of well-produced "righteous rants", which is what it is - but the ranting is never overbearing and the melodies always enticing. 

I must also admit to being absolutely and pleasantly surprised about Sizzla's work. I had thought it may be a bit too "contemporary" for a washed-out old has-been like myself, but no, I found it most accessible. This is an excellent album, no doubt about that. It is twenty-five years old though! There's my modern for you.

A fine introduction to Sizzla's work is via The Journey: The Best Of SizzlaMy favourite track of Sizzla's on here is the musically moving Love Is Divine, which has a sad quality to his vocal delivery. Also impressive are the upbeat, fervent Praise Ye JahAfrica Prepare, the gloriously anthemic and distinctly Banton-esque The Solution (this was his Untold Stories), Good Ways and Be Strong.



Popular posts from this blog

THE ROLLING STONES

THE TEMPTATIONS

Aerosmith: Get Your Wings - 1974

TOM PETTY (with The Heartbreakers & solo)

The Beach Boys: 20 Golden Greats

The Archies: Absolutely The Best Of The Archies

THE BEACH BOYS

Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye: Diana & Marvin - 1973

THE JACKSON 5

THE CURE