Sizzla Kalonji (born Miguel Collins) unleashes a new album just seven months after releasing The Overstanding on Dame Dash’s imprint. But unlike that album, Sizzla’s latest, I-Space (Greensleeves), hasn’t a hint of crossover or R&B-flavored material. Instead, Byron Murray–of In The Streetz Records, and one of Jamaica’s premier reggae riddim masters–is the primary producer for many of I-Space’s tracks.

Murray’s roots productions fit Sizzla like a tightly rolled dread turban. I-Space opens with “Really and Truly” (which recently spent weeks in BBC 1-Xtra’s influential Top Ten), a tune that rides a new version of Bob Marley’s “Natural Mystic.” Linford “Fatta” Marshall (Fat Eyes Records) and Shane Brown (Juke Boxx Records) also contribute productions, including Brown’s massive Statement riddim for “Irresistible.” Other familiar riddims used on the album include I Shall Be Released (the classic Dylan song), Jamdown, Carpenter, and rocksteady-ear hit Desperate Lover.

Sizzla covers familiar subject matter–praising Jah, bigging-up his black empresses, instructions on how to live righteously–but that’s his creative comfort zone, thus each song sounds confident and is delivered with lots of vocal fluctuations and Kalonji’s patented high notes. If you’re looking for a social, erm, musical networking experience with reggae’s most prolific singjay, log onto I-Space (album available now). 

Tracklisting
1. Really And Truly
2. Irresistible
3. Long Live The King of Kings
4. Make Me Yours
5. Chant Dem Down
6. Show Some Love
7. Talk About
8. Stop The Violence
9. Only Jah Alone
10. The Woman In My Life
11. Jah Protect My Life
12. Rock My World
13. Be Careful
14. Nothing But Love
15. Put The People First 

Photo By Martei Korley.