On
the Ariwa website, she is presented as the
Queen of the Roots Daughters and not without
reason.
Born in 1967 and already singing eight
years later, Aisha would team up with Mad
Professor in the 1980's to start what would
grow out to a Movement of female Roots
singers.
High Priestess is in many ways to be
considered as a document. The album was
originally produced in 1986, musically way
ahead of it's time. In the same time, it was
not so common in that time for a female
singer to emphasize on Roots and Roots
topics rather than Lover's Rock and/or
Dancehall.
The lyrics go deep, very deep. "If
there is someone to be blamed, let the
politicians be named", for example. In
a well worked out combination of lead and
backing vocals, it becomes clear that Aisha
really is one of the best female singers
Reggae has ever known.
As said, the music was way ahead of it's
time. In the historical context, it is
really interesting to hear Aisha announcing
the coming digital age in music and how it
will be used to spread conscious vibes.
Not a popular opinion back in that time!
However, the best albums and other
creative productions are made in spite of
popular opinion, in spite of the spirit of
the time, in spite of the wishes of the
mainstream recording industry of which the
Mad Professor has managed to stay away from
throughout the decades of his carrier.
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