ALBUMS

SIZZLA
Black Woman & Child
(Greensleeves)

Jamaican singer Sizzla has released two albums during 1997. I rank his "Black Woman & Child" and "Praise Ye Jah" as two of the best reggae albums of 1997. Which one to choose is a matter if you prefer Xterminators versatile production on "Praise Ye Jah" or Bobby Digital Dixons more roots oriented production on "Black Woman & Child".

On Jamaica Sizzla is considered very controversial, much in the same vein as Peter Toshīs militant political stances were controversial. Sizzla criticizes both the political and religious powers on Jamaica. He means that the youth of Jamaica are being brainwashed into passivity. The general opinion amongst the youths seem to be that they canīt do anything to change their situation of unemployment, the racism in society, the living conditions and general poor economic situation.

Sizzla means that Jamaicans are being fooled into believing that it is the will of the Christian God if you are poor. He says that the only way to change this situation is though knowledge and that the poor on Jamaica need to learn about the mechanisms which rule the society.

Sizzla believes that the solution for all Jamaicans is to migrate to Ethiopia and that Rastafarian is the key to a better world. I think that this aspect of Sizzlas lyrics should be understood more as a symbolic dream of a differently structured society. In which it could be possible to live according to other values, rather than the values of a materialistic and corrupted Babylon.

"Black Woman & Child" brings Sizzlas more direct and open political views into consideration. Over a traditional, yet modern root reggae style music Sizzlas sad stories of oppression and brutality in Kingston comes alive. "Praise Ye Jah" is more focused on Rasta ideology and the dream of returning to Ethiopia. In a way, this album is musically inverted compared to "Black Woman and Child" with itīs touch of ancient tradition in the lyrics that contrasts the more contemporary ragga in the music.