Search - Sizzla :: Speak of Jah

Same Ole, Same Ole

Achis | Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM | 03/18/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Track List:
1. Fight Against the Youth
2. Give Thanks to Jah
3. Teach the Little Children
4. Speak of Jah
5. Somehow
6. Dem Ago Suffer
7. Vision
8. Love and Affection
9. The Girls Dem
10. Freedom
11. Somehow (Remix)
12. Right Road
13. Couldn't Come Among UsArmed with a bag of lyrics, seemingly bottomless, I wonder if you asked Sizzla to sing a song called Give Thanks to Jah, The Girls Dem, Dem Ago Suffer or Fight Against the Youth, he'd pull out the acoustic guitar (which he is really good at these days) and start singing and playing, or he'd look at you puzzled and calmly say, "Which one?". While the specific titles of his music can always be questioned, the quality of it rarely is truthfully questionable. The often criticized reggae genius is so criticized because the direction in which he sometimes goes (i.e. slackness) but is supported by his fanbase moreso than probably any other artist making music today. Who else can release 4-5 real-label albums anually, worry not a bit about how much each sales and still tour extensively?
Speak of Jah si what you're use to hearing from the artist, routinely high level music, a passion for his faith, a passion for beautiful women and an extreme passion for life. Only vehemently displaying his passion for the women twice (on the obligatory dancehall cut, The Girls Dem and Vision) on Speak of Jah, this album is pretty much a straight forward roots piece (incidentally brought to you by the same people that brought you Turbulence's massive Join Us last year, lot of the same riddims). While there probably aren't any surefire classics present here, the best tune is the always familiar Somehow (and its remix, acoustic) also love the fantastic Vision whose chorus travels in more ways than an average large city, the acoustic title track which truly destroys it when it gets going, Teach the Little Children which rides the same riddim as did Warrior King's absolutely massive Health and Strength and Love and Affection.
Overall, while I can't honestly say this about every single Kalonji album that comes down the road, Speak of Jah contains no bad tunes, highly listenable to any modern roots reggae fan, from Jamaica's most remarkable and mysterious talent."

For Sizzla Fans Only

Negus Shabaka | Brooklyn, NY USA | 10/22/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I'm hardly ever disappointed when I buy a Sizzla CD, but he puts out so many in a year that one is always way better than the others. This is not the one. I only really like about 3 songs on this album. And that one labeled 'remix' is practically just an acapella. The sound quality of this production could be better too. So if u're already a sizzla fan and you have an MP3 player, you can just rip the good tracks and fyah bun de rest...Lyrically and performance wise, this is typical Sizzla; musically, its more roots, reggae and some ole school riddims than contemporary dancehall like the 'rise to the occassion' release..."

Kalonji still has it!!!

Sherman Mc Nicolls | Atlanta, GA USA | 09/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit that Sizzla really suprised me on this album. i didn't know that after tons of albums, he still had so much positive lyrics. Just listen to "Fight against the youth" and tell me what you think. He included "Dem ago suffer" which is an old tune and honestly, i totally agree with him. This song to me is in my list of 'THE TOP FIVE SIZZLA SONGS'. IF this isn't up on the alter with tunes like "Holding Firm" and "Praise Ye Jah", then i don't know what is. More on the ladies side is "Visions" which is simply remarkable. Honestly speaking, Sizzla could just have had these 3 songs on the album and i would have still bought it. These three songs "Fight against the youth", "Dem ago suffer" and "Visions" make this cd literally priceless. Good job Kalonji"