Customer Reviews

Red Alert

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First, I must credit two songs on this CD. "Alert" is a good high-energy song. "Blessing" is a fun, more traditional reggae song. Having said that, this is another CD where Sizzla disregards the spirit-filled voice we know from CD's such as Black Woman & Child and Freedom Cry. Instead he (again) looks to appeal to the rude-boys and gals with his rough loud voice. The lyrics seemed to have lost the great wisdom that was so apparent in his earlier songs. It now lurks behind his sexual references and less developed expressions of insight. Sorry Sizzla fans but I remember that beautiful (and powerful) voice before the screaming and I wait for it to be resurrected.

This is a solid album from Sizzla. Top songs are "Life is", "Beautiful World", "Alert", and "Long Way", also known as "African Children." The European version of this album called "African Children" is a bit better, containing a hard to find, yet amazing song "Only Jah and Jah alone" (not to be confused with "Only Jah Alone" from I-space). The guy that said this album is murder music is clearly ignoring songs like "LIFE IS" that says "Life is for us to live..." and many other positive tunes. Yeah, Sizzla has some controversial views but I think people should try not to say what someone can and can't say...Anyways, the African Children version has another amazing song called "Keep in Touch" which this album doesn't have, among a few others...if possible, get that one in addition to this...putting them both together makes it an even better album (20 songs!)

Red Alert is certainly not Sizzla Kalonji's best work, but I have to admit, its one that I imagine he probably had the most fun making. It's fairly standard material from a flat out genius. Having gotten the European version of this one (which means that I've had about 2 months to sit with it) I'm continually impressed with the way that the artist can seemingly not even try, and still churn out top material, it amounts to what I'd call a serious amount of determination of Sizzla to get out his message. This album absolutely (like all of his work) bleeds Black Strength!
The best song here is the ultra familiar Beautiful World, really really strong tune that is, also love the opener Your Love Is and Life. Dancehall heads are not neglected as the album certainly contains its share. Later in the album appears a tune called Long Way (#13) on which Sizzla spends nearly a minute discussing the important virtues and strengths of Rastafari before launching into a downright beautiful heap of lyrics on which leave the listener with a strong message if he/she truly ingests the material. Also love the fun-sounding Blessing.
Overall, as I said, I certainly wouldn't call Red Alert the best that this amazing talent could do, but it encompasses nearly everything that has made Sizzla Kalonji loved by millions around the world over the past 10 years and hated by a few, but if you are truly able to pick up the message here, you'll come to the same conclusion those millions have: Not a stronger messenger exists in music today.

If you like music that advocates homophobic murder, this one is for you! Sizzla has a number of songs that urge the shooting of gay men and lesbians.