Black Woman & Child truly is a milestone in Jamaican music from one of the most important and influential reggae artists of the modern era, Miguel Orlando Collins, known to the world as Sizzla Kalonji. Defying the sophomore slump, Black Woman & Child is regarded by many as his finest work in a particularly prolific career spanning almost thirty years. It’s unsurprising, then, that even Rolling Stone Magazine described this album as a “masterpiece.”
The album was produced in 1997 by a graduate from King Jammy’s hit-making studio, Bobby ‘Digital B’ Dixon, at a turning point in Reggae music, where digital sounds and ‘slackness’ had completely taken over. A fresh approach was needed, and Dixon led the charge alongside other producers, such as Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell, creating riddims which incorporated real instrumentation and modern sounds, all mixed impeccably with a heavyweight but crystal clear sound.
As a yout’ from St. Mary, born to devout Rasta parents, Sizzla was just twenty-one years old when he recorded Black Woman & Child. Yet he showed such maturity and depth in his songwriting skills and lyrical prowess that this album kickstarted a conscious Dancehall revolution across Jamaica and, indeed, the world. Core messages of his Bobo Ashanti faith, the teachings of Prince Emmanual Charles Edwards, Haile Selassie and Marcus Garvey, repatriation, Pan-Africanism and Black nationalism are all explored. Additionally, themes of equality, independence, morality and optimism are expressed in Sizzla’s unique vocal style, the perfect accompaniment to Dixon’s hard-hitting riddims.
Sizzla “Black Woman & Child”
Sizzla “More Guidance”
Sizzla “One Way”
During this era, Bobby ‘Digital B’ Dixon continued the long-standing tradition of re-versioning riddims from Sir Coxson Dodd’s ‘Studio One’ imprint, the foundation of Jamaican music. “More Guidance” provides a fresh take on Wailing Soul’s “Mr. Fire Coal Man”, “Make It Secure” revives The Soul Vendor’s “Drum Song”, and “One Away” is a fitting lyric to arguably the best Roots riddim of all-time, The Abyssinians “Satta Masa Gana”. Soul Agent’s “The Lecture” (aka “Lecturer”) rides again on “Give Them A Ride” and “Guide Over Us” utilises the soulful classic by The Eternals, “Queen Of The Minstrels”, in fine style.
This triumphant album is now finally available once again, presented on limited edition green vinyl with the original Greensleeves sleeve design. Additional unreleased bonus tracks are also available on digital and streaming platforms. (VP Records)
