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Sizzla's last two albums for Greensleeves, the Firehouse Crew backed Ghetto Youthology and the Homer Harris compilation Crucial Times have been fairly rootsy affairs. You might think, then, that leaving Greensleeves might send him off in a different direction. Sizzla is never predictable, however, and if anything The Scriptures is even more of a roots record: with producer John John raiding his father King Jammys' vaults to airbrush old rhythms with a crisp digital gloss. Also this is a particularly "singy" album. Sizzla's falsetto singing divides listeners yet here it is cloaked in lots of echo and surrounded by beautiful harmonies from Fiona Robinson, Camar Doyles, Connie Francis and Sherida to pleasing effect. Since Crucial Times, Sizzla has attracted headlines and controversy by visiting Zimbabwe. Now back in his Judgement Yard base, he also pays tribute to his island with In Jamaica saying "Things run different in Jamaica, black people live decent in Jamaica". Another standout is the judgemental What A Whoa on Jammys classic Jah Fire Will Be Burning rhythm. The duo then go even further back to ska vibes for Happy Birthday where Sizzla makes a bold challenge to the festive dominance of anniversary standard Happy Birthday To You. The previous few Sizzla albums have been pretty good if not particularly unified - sometimes jarring our sensibilities as he does with his words and actions. Yet, from the Just One Of Those Days-reminiscent opener World Cry to the Zion Gate rhythm single Music In My Soul, this is a very integrated work with a lush, lavishly produced sheen where only the rock of Africa Tribute Jump veers away from the soulful one drop feel. Followers of the shouty dancehall Sizzla may be not be so enamoured but for modern roots reggae fans it should go down well. Album-Review: Sizzla - The Scriptures 06/13/2011 by Angus Taylor

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