CULTURE Schallplatten & CDs

Review: This first-ever CD anthology of Culture's earliest singles captures the trio in their purest, most incendiary form. Formed in 1976 by lead singer Joseph Hill, with Albert Walker and Roy Dayes, the Jamaican group emerged under the name The African Disciples before becoming Culture and signing with Joe Gibbsione of Kingston's most revered producers. What followed was a run of revolutionary 7"s and 12"s, including the seismic 'Two Sevens Clash', whose apocalyptic prophecy shook the reggae landscape. These recordingsinow collected in full, dub sides and allichart the group's 1977 to 1981 run with Gibbs, a period widely regarded as their peak. Tracks like 'Zion Gate' and 'See Dem a Come' show their power not just as writers of militant roots reggae, but as spiritual messengers, blending dread prophecy with hypnotic riddims. Even in dub form, these versions retain urgency and weight, anchored by Hill's unshakeable vocal tone and Gibbs's rich, bass-forward production. Later work with Sonia Pottinger would push their sound further afield, but what's here is raw, righteous and definitive. Eight tracks make their CD debut, finally doing justice to an era of singles that shaped both Culture's legacy and the wider trajectory of roots reggae itself.

Review: Pivotal players in both the nascent dub, dancehall and punk scenes of the late 70s, Culture (not, in our estimation, named as such for no reason) emerged from the fecund, twinned musical grounds of Jamaica and the United Kingdom; 1977's Two Sevens Clash was released during, and named after, that crucial year, and serendipitously found itself embraced by the new punks. Though it's famous for this association, this is an electronic/dub album through and through, and could have commanded just as much respect at any other time. A beautifully clear yet vintage sound abounds here, whether on the jabbing bubbles of title track, the lyrical privations of 'See Them A Come', or the prophetic professions of 'Pirate Days'.

Review: Whether or not it is a coincidence that we are fast approaching 420 and ever more weed-related 7"s are dropping we do not know, but nor do we care. Culture's 'Callie Weed Song' is going to bang whatever day of the year you drop it, so long as you play it loud. It's got carefree keys and ganglier guitars accompanying the traditional reggae groove and some super stoned-sounding vocal musings on top. Joe Gibbs & The Professionals then appear on the flip with something just as summer, laid back and seductive in the form of the great 'Golden River.' Let's not get into what that title may or may not refer to.

Review: The classic 'Two Sevens Clash', which Joe Gibbs produced so well, is a timeless reggae outing that gets a welcome reissue here. Anyone of a certain age might remember this as a soundtrack to the years when punk was appropriating reggae sounds. The tune is from an album that was listened to between punk gigs and when not getting beaten up by Teds. The band of course didn't know this would become its fate and in isolation it remains a special listen with some smart mixing desk effects, hissing hi hats and nice dusty and deep low ends.