MOST persons familiar with Sizzla know the singer for his fiery lyrics and persona. But for his latest project, the diminutive artiste tries something new.

Sizzla plays guitar and bass on The Remake of The Classics, a cover album produced by his long-time friend and collaborator, Everton ‘Caveman’ Moore.

Moore says the album will have 20 tracks which are updates of classic reggae and rocksteady songs. Sizzla covers Jacob Miller’s Tenement Yard, but was encouraged by Moore to also show off his skills as a musician.

“Everyday him practise guitar an’ bass up a him yaad, but this is the first official recording of him playing instruments,” Moore told Splash.

Sizzla played guitar or bass on Tenement Yard, Moore’s take on The Wailers’ Thank you Lord, Half Pint’s Dancing Mood (made popular by Delroy Wilson) and Hezron’s version of Alton Ellis’ Black Man’s Pride.

Moore said Sizzla welcomed the opportunity to do something different.

“Him enjoy it, him enjoy himself.”

Another first on ‘The Remake’ is seasoned session musician Paul ‘Wrong Move’ Crosdale singing. He did The Mad Lads’ version of Ten to One, originally done by Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions.

Moore and drummer Nicky Henry of the Mystic Revealers came up with the concept for ‘The Remake’, which is being recorded at the former’s east Kingston studio.

The Mystic Revealers cover The Wailers’ Bus Them Shut (Pyaka), while Fred Locks puts his spin on Dennis Brown’s Whip Them Jah.

Upcoming acts are a big part of the project which is tentatively scheduled for an April release. They include Jesse Black who does Burning Spear’s Marcus Garvey and Proverbs, who covered Fade Away, originally done by Junior Byles.

— Howard Campbell