Sizzla’s ‘Black Woman & Child’: A Milestone Album Returns on Limited Edition Vinyl

Toronto, Canada – Sizzla Kalonji’s Black Woman & Child, a masterpiece that redefined reggae music, is once again available to fans with a limited-edition green vinyl release. This groundbreaking album, first released in 1997, solidified Sizzla as one of reggae’s most influential modern artists and marked a turning point in the genre’s history.

Produced by Bobby “Digital B” Dixon, Black Woman & Child emerged during a pivotal era in reggae music. The dominance of digital sounds and explicit themes in dancehall at the time necessitated a fresh approach. Dixon, a graduate of King Jammy’s legendary studio, was among the producers leading a conscious resurgence by blending real instrumentation with modern sounds, creating a crystal-clear yet powerful musical foundation.

Sizzla, then a 21-year-old artist from St. Mary, channeled his Rastafarian roots and Bobo Ashanti faith into the album’s core messages. Themes of Pan-Africanism, repatriation, morality, and optimism resonate through tracks like “Black Woman & Child,” “Guide Over Us,” and “Give Them A Ride.” The influence of Rastafarian teachings and icons like Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey, and Prince Emmanuel Charles Edwards are unmistakable in his lyrics.

The album also pays homage to Jamaica’s musical history by reinterpreting iconic riddims from Studio One, such as “Satta Massa Gana” by The Abyssinians and “Queen of the Minstrels” by The Eternals. These reinterpretations, paired with Sizzla’s impassioned delivery, made the album an instant classic. Rolling Stone Magazine has since lauded Black Woman & Child as a “masterpiece,” a sentiment echoed by reggae fans worldwide.

In Canada, Black Woman & Child found a devoted audience, thanks to DJs like Blax Dun Da Place, Papa Richie, George Barrett, and Lindo P, alongside sound systems like King Turbo, Black Reaction, and Super Fresh. Record stores such as TreaJah Isle Records played a significant role in popularizing the album, making Canada the third-largest market for Sizzla, behind only the U.S. and the U.K.

The limited-edition vinyl, featuring the original Greensleeves artwork, is complemented by unreleased bonus tracks now available on digital and streaming platforms. This re-release provides both longtime fans and new listeners an opportunity to experience an album that not only shaped a generation of reggae but also ignited a conscious dancehall revolution.

Fans can look forward to reconnecting with Sizzla’s artistry and the legacy of Black Woman & Child, a timeless work that continues to inspire and uplift.

SOURCE VP Records

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