Da Real Thing

by Sizzla

Overview

The leader of the Bobo Dread contingent continues to flirt with overexposure on this, his fifth release of 2002 (not counting Best of Sizzla: The Story Unfolds, also released in 2002). Luckily, Sizzla's energy seems to be unlimited and his bag of lyrics bottomless. And producer Bobby Digital appears to have an equally unlimited supply of neo-roots rhythms on hand; this is not the usual grab bag of familiar rhythms delivered in lackluster computer renderings, but a generous program of generally new and original instrumental arrangements played by actual human beings (and produced in the digitally clean style that is Bobby Digital's trademark). Not surprisingly, Da Real Thing continues in roughly the same vein as, er, last month's Ghetto Revolutionary: the "fire bun" rhetoric is still present, but no longer as fierce or prominent as before, and there are several tender love songs in place of the strident sexual lectures in which he and his brethren generally indulge. One of the album's most touching songs is "Thank U Mamma," in which he specifically thanks his mother for putting up with him in the womb for nine months and for preparing him to be a good husband and father. "Trod Mt. Zion" is a powerful chant of resistance to the blandishments of Babylon, while "Boom & Go Through" sets similar sentiments to a strutting hip-hop beat. The album closes with the surprisingly sensual (but musically weak) "Touch Me," on which he teams up with singer Rochelle. Releasing albums at this rate may not be the smartest long-term marketing move for someone in Sizzla's position, but it's hard to imagine a fan of neo-roots reggae who's going to complain. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	11/19/2002
Label:	Vp Records
UPC:	0054645164917
Rank:	32201

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sizzla   Primary Artist,Vocals,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Rochelle   Featured Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background),Featured Artist
Sly Dunbar   Percussion
Bobby Dixon   Recorder
Benjy Myaz   Bass,Guitar,Keyboards
Kirk Bennett   Drums
Donald Dennis   Bass
Robbie Shakespeare   Bass
Melbourne Miller   Drums
Dave Richard   Bass
Bradley Brown   Drums
Ian Coleman   Guitar
Chris Meredith   Bass
Paul Crossdale   Keyboards
Passion   Vocals (Background)
Dean Fraser   Horn
David Anglin   Percussion
Paul Henton   Keyboards
Dalton Browne   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Nambo   Horn
Leroy Heywood   Drums
Robbie Lyn   Keyboards
Errol Hird   Horn
Keith Maroghini   Percussion
Mark Darson   Drums
Wilburn "Squiddley" Cole   Drums
Joanna Kettle   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Bobby Digital   Engineer,Producer
Tony Bennett   Composer
Sizzla   Harmony
Bobby Dixon   Composer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Clement "Coxsone" Dodd   Composer
Duke Reid   Composer
Jay Bennett   Composer
Joel Chin   Editing,Mastering
Rochelle   Harmony
Danny Browne   Overdubs
Paul Shields   Editing,Mastering
Paul Crossdale   Composer
Arthur Simms   Assistant Engineer
Paul "Wrong Move" Crosdale   Composer
Dalton Browne   Harmony
Arthur Reid   Composer
C. Chin   Composer
Anderson Ballentyne   Photography
Rebel Chris   Assistant Engineer
Deron D. James   Design,Art Direction
Don McDonald   Composer
Mr. Mojo   Harmony
Miguel Collins   Composer
Dominic McDonald   Composer
Wilburn "Squiddley" Cole   Overdubs