Sister Carol's roots span Jamaica and New York City, and she is trained as a teacher. She has also appeared as an actress in feature films. These factors have given her an encompassing view on the situation in the inner city, and the world at large from a native's and immigrant's point of view. Her experiences are evident in her latest album: Isis - "The Original Womb-Man." Isis is scriptural in its scope. A latter day, 16 track, bible of survival in the city. The song content ranges from admonitions on how to live in today's world with the dangers of police brutality and sexual promiscuity, to paeans to ganja ("Herbal Is Natural") and tributes to Bob Marley. Although the messages are heavy, they are also refreshing in these times of popular music's glorification of depravity. Some of the tracks would benefit from warmer rhythms and less programming, but overall Sister Carol is a guiding light for reggae in particular, and conscious music in general. - Rob Seiden