With 8 tracks new to CD and being Culture’s first anthology it showcases a group that crashed onto the Reggae music scene in 1977 with ‘Two Seven Crash’, their debut single. Culture came onto the Reggae music scene with the above release and followed with further 7″ and 12″ singles for Jamaican producer Joe Gibbs and were formed in 1976 by Joseph Hill, cousin Albert Walker and Roy Dayes as the African Disciples, becoming Culture just before joining Joe Gibbs extensive collection of artists. Over the next twelve months they recorded tracks that went onto four albums before departing with Joe Gibbs in 1978 and joining Sonia Pottinger’s High Note Records and this arrangement meant the global distribution of their recordings was via Virgin Records’ Front Line label. This collection not only includes new tracks to CD but also numerous Jamaican hits. One now takes a look at a selection of the included tracks.
DISC ONE: THE 7″ SINGLES
1. THIS TIME This. comes as Roots Reggae and has a group vocal. The rhythm track is mid-tempo with some classic guitar work and is the usual sound we expect from this outfit. 3. SEE THEM A COME. If you have followed Culture over the centuries, it is most likely that you have come across this track. It is another mid-tempo, Roots Reggae sound with some group vocals with the overall make-up of this is cool and catchy. 6. ZION ROCK – Joe Gibbs & The Professionals. Producer Joe Gibbs comes up with a catchy instrumental that is punchy and mid-tempo and as Roots instrumentals go this is catchy. 9. TWO SEVENS CLASH. This track was used as the title of Culture album way back and the track will be familiar to hundreds of Jamaican music fans. It is Roots Reggae at its best and has a mid-tempo rhythm track with the lead vocalist being helped-out by further vocalists from time-to-time. The track is catchy and gets one’s feet-tapping, the afore mentioned album was released in 1977. 11. BALD HEAD BRIDGE. This is Roots Reggae at its best with a fast rhythm track and a lead vocal backed up by a combined group vocal from time-to-time. The overall make-up of the track is good and shows off Culture’s talents well. 15. THIS TRAIN. Naturally, as one would probably expect this starts with train sounds created by Culture and is a mid-tempo sound. The vocal comes full-on and as with the previous reviewed track it is complimented by group vocals at times, some fine percussion is in existence. 18. DOWN JAMAICA WAY – Joe Gibbs & The Professionals. Another mid-tempo sound, this time it is a Dub recording. Some fine percussion is to be heard along with infectious drumming sounds. This was the b side to the release ‘Send Some Rain’ and is catchy in Dub terms. 21. INNOCENT BLOOD. Another full-on Roots Reggae sound on which the vocal is split between the group members. Mid-tempo rhythm track and overall this is a catchy number, some percussion can be heard. 22. E.T ROCK – Joe Gibbs & The Professionals. This was the b side to the previous reviewed track.
DISC TWO: 12″ SINGLES
1. THIS TIME (12″ mix). This starts with a short instrumental opening before becoming a mid-tempo Roots Reggae sound. The group vocals are clear and full-on and from around midway through it moves into a semi-instrumental recording and at over 5mins it is a pleasing track. 3. ZION GATE/ZION GATE DJ (FORTY LEG DREAD) – Culture & Prince Mohammed. This track comes at 7mins 34secs and is two recordings together. The first comes with a full-on vocal that not only has a lead vocal but also a combined group vocal from time-to-time. The rhythm track comes mid-tempo and is pulsating. When Prince Mohammed comes on the scene it becomes more of a talk-over sound, nevertheless it continues in the same vein. Good all-round recording and one of the best on this disc. 5. TWO SEVENS CLASH (12″ mix). Having heard the song on disc 1, one is not surprised that it became a 12″ recording. This is not that different from the 7″ release until it becomes a Dub sound midway through. This is a pleasing version, and relaxing. 7. INFORMER MAN (12″). Another song heard on disc 1 and as a 12″ it never becomes too long. The vocals are pretty much as before and full-on in front of a punchy rhythm track. This ends up as a Dub sound from midway through. 9. SEND SOME RAIN – Culture & Clint Eastwood. This is a good combination of artists, Eastwood being a top artist in his own right. Once again a version of the disc 1 track and is full-on Roots Reggae with Eastwood adding his talk-over style from midway through. This is a very likeable recording. 11. INNOCENT BLOOD/ROCK IT UP – Culture & U Brown. This is the last track on the disc and also the collection. This starts as a classic Roots Reggae sound with a lead vocal that floats over a mid-tempo rhythm track. Midway through U Brown comes onto the scene with a talk-over that is nothing more than one expects from this genre. Pleasant enough overall recording.
CONCLUSION
One could say that Culture’s recordings remained constantly high, most Jamaican music historians have agreed that the singles released between 1977 and 1981 were recorded at their peak, and one would agree with this. This collection has finally been put together and released by Cherry Red Records and it demonstrates their talents; Culture were one of Jamaica’s most popular groups during the Roots era. Roots Reggae remains popular with true fans of the music and here we have a top-notch collection. With an 8 page informative booklet and at £14 99p it is a very entertaining collection.