ROOTS and CULTURE

           Jeez...I stepped out to pick up a pack of Rizla's and two weeks slip by!

                                        VP Records 4 disc document of CULTURE with producer
                                                                       JOE GIBBS!

I never review the new stuff because "fresh off the press" releases retail at full price. And if it's gonna be a hot mover stores may puff up the cost even more. My frugal self notices these subtle increases.  Only after the initial consumer rush to buy a CD dies out does a store resuscitate life back into the limp sales by dropping it into the bargain bins. That's when I wander along. As a matter of principle, I still haven't pick up Capleton's latest disc, I-Ternal Fire, because I'm patiently waiting for the price to drop a few bucks. And Capleton is one of my all time favorites! Even old faithful EB's hasn't budged. Amazon has the Mp3 download selling for $8.99 which is where I wish the hard copy was at. Besides the sound of the Mighty King Shango needs to be heard through floor model cabinet speakers. The best computer speakers won't shake your soul and rattle your bones! Good speakers should stand taller than your children. Woofers alone should be about the size of a large frying pan. I hooked up a state of the art Bose system to my computer but the bottom end is about the size of a thimble. Decades ago I used to channel the sound through my bass guitar PA System. Which explains why I'm always saying, "what?" and "huh?" 

Until I can figure out how to play all the downloaded tunes on my traditional stereo, I'm slow in adapting to an all Mp3 format. Are there methods that my Senior Citizen self is too out of touch to know about? I am asking for help here! 

This box set is new to everybody. I easily slid this into my budget. Okay, this review is a little delayed, because it took about two weeks ship. Media mail is not the speediest, it is the cheapest, plus I spent the last few weeks soaking in it's vibes. 43 tunes worth of heavy vibes! I am gonna make the wild accusation that the term "Roots and Culture" derived from this JAH guided band of ROOTS singers because I had never heard that Reggae description until long after JOSEPH HILL, CULTURE'S main mouth piece, proved his dominance. My main motivation in getting my greedy little hands on this collection was to get an CD update of BALDHEAD BRIDGE. A well loved vinyl copy means being worn out from too much pleasure. I already own the deluxe CD 30th anniversary Shanachie edition of TWO SEVENS CLASH so the first CD in the box-set is a double. (the weird thing is...the Shanachie set seemed to be marketed at Punk Rockers with a pointless essay written by some heroin chic guitarist!) I had never seen the second CD, MORE CULTURE, for sale. Ever, in any format, so I consider it's inclusion as warm and inviting as a home cooked meal. Not often do I get a chance to hear late seventies era gems with virgin ears. The remaining fourth disc, AS HARD AS THE REST, is a collection of alternates, dubs and singles. No left overs here! Feed your soul.

                                           My personal fave from the JOE GIBBS era. 

Some math. The Shanachie's BALDHEAD BRIDGE on disc would have set me back about $11.00. For a few dollars more, I got three extra discs. Two of which are indispensable to me. That adds up positive. I expect great sound quality from VP and they do not disappoint with the remastering. An extremely minor gripe with the REGGAE LEGEND box sets series were that no info booklet was included. I understand the original releases were shy on linear notes to begin with and to kept the price grounded low, no scribes were hired. But this set comes with an eight page booklet of explanation and of course the facsimiles of the "back album covers" of the individual CD sleeves. Another big plus. Consider this collection necessary. 

                                           A perfect record and one of many to come!

Crusty old Rastas will preach that CULTURE'S debut album TWO SEVENS CLASH was the bands best. There is no denying that 2/7's Clash is a maelstrom of Righteous words and vibes but CULTURE had a steady habit of putting out one massive classic after another! Need proof? Check their Island Records catalog. CULTURE' CD'S are like incendiary devices! Blazing stuff. Joseph Hill never tired of pushing the message of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie into deaf ears and wicked minds. 

If you delight in the revelations of Joseph Hill's spiritual twin, BURNING SPEAR, you will find yourself at home with these records. 

CULTIVATING HERBALISTS

Listening with new ears. The crazy thing about Culture is that this record sounds more unique today than when new. I remember thinking that Joseph Hill and gang were roots to a fault. No hooks and gimmicks to catch the listeners ears. Just a simple smooth continuous riff for Joseph to drift his voice over. I was wrong, sure the vibe is like a drive thru the country, but the band and back-up harmonies block the whole road. They just do it without big city road rage.

Okay, I pinched this from my earlier Amazon review. I have always loved Joseph Hill's Culture but as I get older, I hold their music even closer to my heart. I blame it on maturity. Certainly not herb itself. I was smoking some intense Vietnam export back in the olden days. Then, is it true, am I getting wiser as I get older?

CULTURED BUT NOT PASTEURIZED!

Yesterday, I did something I used to be able to do with my eyes closed- I picked up my paint brushes. Roughly three calendar years passed me by and not even a stick figure scribble, but yesterday I started a series of portraits. I came across a shoebox of old photos. In that box was pictures of my dad with his hair all slicked back and wearing a wife beater to show off his thug muscles. He was posing cool for the camera sitting atop his Harley. That was the late fifties. My dad never made it to high school. He fought his way through life.

Why the three year Sabbatical? Going thru a nasty divorce can make a person pick up all sorts of bad habits. I picked up a few of the usuals. Cigarettes seem to calm the nerves when your ex is pushing ya into wanting to commit murder. Booze, well booze is a cheap way to go numb. Eventually my ex-wife became a distant ugly memory so I figured if I could not leave Babylon personally, I would make it leave me. So I quit the pack a day and stopped drowning myself in oceans of wine. A neighborhood crack head said the only difference between me and a wino was that I painted! I started beating the pavement with my face (army's cute way of saying push-ups) and covering many miles of running trails. Fresh air!
Only problem was I associated painting with bad habits. An incredible painter I know said he had gotten to the point where he could not even stretch a canvas without killing a six pack first. Every time I smelled turpentine, long lost cravings for nicotine would flood my mind. The cliche images of French painters with a glass of wine in one hand and a lit cigarette dangling from their lips. Yeah, and the nude model stashed away in the studio. That was my life. I had to put the brush down till my mind completely cleared.

Babylon was a Mesopotamian problem during Old Testament times but no other place on this planet qualifies more for the title of new Babylon than America. I mean entire cities like Las Vegas cater to the 7 Deadly Sins. Of course New York is the big apple. Boasting more temptation per square inch than the apple tree in the Garden Of Eden. Where is this story going? In circles- Culture is described as the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. A sinner is a person who transgresses against divine law. Somehow culture and sin can not exist without each other.



The original work in words of defiance and songs of praise!

This Culture is best described as a trio of mighty foot soldiers for the Most High Jah Rastafari. Joseph may only weigh 90 pounds but he's fearsome! The other two skinny guys, they got Joseph's back. Culture uses their music to march on Babylon. Every tune puts the boot to Babylon. Their art is pious indignation set to roots rockers. And rock the one drop it does. Joseph Hill, Kenneth Dayes and Joseph's cousin Albert Walker face impossible odds but Rastaman face it upbeat and optimistic. That is what I love best about Reggae. It's unconquerable spirit!



The deluxed remastered and therefore more dangerous edition!

Another sucessfull record review where I actually avoid talking about the record I am reviewing. Not so tuff being a critic.

YAGGA YAGGA YO!

I misplaced a double Anthony B write up somewhere on my hard drive. Till I find where I filed it, my Black Star and Higher Meditation ravings will have to wait patiently. Instead I am gonna run down Street Knowledge and test myself. Yeah yeah, I know- you have heard that promise from me before and my lack of attention span immediately broke it. Even though I only succeeded half way, I never half assed it. So here it is... Track 01 two 7 clash-Anthony B sharing the spotlight with Joseph Hill and his trio Culture. Joseph reinvigorates life back into his tune about Bibical Prophecy. It is like the year 1976 all over again. When this Street Knowledge cd stops spinning, I am still singing along with this song. In fact I could spin a dozen different CDs after it and this song will still be in heavy rotation throughout my brain.


The Late Joseph Hill

Track 02 police- a song about police being above law. No protect and serve here. Only abuse of innoncents at the hands of "peace officers." Track 03 God above everything-okay, it is human nature to want comfort and earthly possessions. So keep 'em but only if your still faithful to Jah. Track 04 revelation-Anthony B is good at delivering these spirited songs of Rasta devotion. Track 05 laws for the rich-there are laws to protect the rich and laws to persecute the poor. New laws passed against Rasta artist because they are the ghetto kids (poor) that made good (rich) and now have the power to play the rich man game on his own terms. That makes Rasta artist dangerous to the white collar way of life! I mean how do you keep the 'filthy' Rasta off your front doorstep if he's moved in next door. Track 06 first start-a short name dropping history of Rasta and his push against the established oppression. Track 07 ghettoman do that- Why face yourself in the mirror. It is easier to pass the blame onto the poor man. He is hungry. He is desperate. His place is in the ghetto so by default he is a thug. Nobody will question his guilt. Track 08 world free-Anthony B once again shares the mic. This time with Bushman-Luciano sounding Doniki. I am halfway through Street Knowledge and every song is still pulling strong. Every riddim a class ride. This center is loaded with lyrical substance not artificial fillers.



Track 09 dancing mood- This is an interesting tune in Anthony B's arsenal. This tune is a Latin tinged up beat swinger about Anthony B feeling festive. It is a nice light hearted romp to let ya catch your breath after all those songs of Rasta righteousness. Track 10 key to your heart -If only more modern RnB falling in love songs were this good. Courtney Melody ironically sings the melody. He brings to mind, Barrington Levy. That is a good thing. I like Anthony B doing lovey-dovey. It is not weak in the knees mush. Odd this far along most of his records and we would of been treated to at least one love of burnin' herb tune not love of girl tune. Track 11 wine and roses- Should I start to worry, I mean another love song. Nah, another calm in the eye of the hurricane. I am sure the storm be will rolling ashore very soon devastating everything in it's path. Track 12 change of weather-I do believe it is about imposters hiding behind the face of Rasta faith. Hypocrites. Track 13 good cop and bad cop- this song bounces around. Beat and hook heavy. Catchy and clever. Track 14 don't buss your gun- this song reminds me of Johnny Cash's late 1950's country anthem, Don't Bring Your Guns to Town. Like Cash, he knows nothing good will come from it. Clouded judgement with a quick trigger finger spells badman trouble. Usually, all for an a arguement better settled by fists. Murder is a permanent mistake corrected by life behind bars. Wasted life times two. Track 15 gun powder- a ballad of sadness aimed at the epidemic of crime that infects ghetto blood. It is not a trait inherited from mom and pop passed thru the genes but a tactic spread from upper society rats. Track 15 pass the kutchie- Ahh...there is the ganga anthem! He saved it for last. The Mighty Diamonds harmonizing on their massive hit. To think, when Musical Youth covered it way back in the 80's, business suits figured if ya change the lyrics to Pass the Dutchie, it would be safe for white suburban consumption!


The Mighty Diamonds!

Note: the VP Records version of Street Knowledge has what looks like the same tunes but flips the order. On closer inspection the tunes Stop Di War In Music and Clean Your Heart on the VP disc replace Laws for the Rich and First Start on this release. True to the Jamrock music bizz, the home version changes up some tracks from the UK or American releases. Should come with a warning label that reads-May contain so many different tunes (or mixes) that you need all versions to have the complete album!

My first taste

Now that AchisReggae gave my humble little Blog a big up. I need to get learning html speak real quickly. There is a problem though. I am an old dog, and if my lady luck aint all used up, I might be able learn new tricks. Takes the one or two brain cells I got left a few extra minutes to warm up. Maybe if rub ‘em together…
I will use this entry as my official beginning. If you where paying attention, you noticed I already mentioned that my age is old. Pick a number, any number between 45 and death. That is I. A past arrest report stated that I was a Caucasian male. That is what I get for looking suspicious
This Blog will rant and rave about sweet Reggae music. Covering everything from Roots Rockers to the deepest Dub to the slackest Dancehall. I love it all. I may also wander off on some tangent, but trust me; they will be related like kissing cousins.
Reggae records back in the early eighties were hard to come by for most Americans. A few hip record boutiques downtown carried a minor selection, Mostly the Island Record label releases. Blackworst’s label was the biggest independent until Virgin Music caught on. Competition between corporations is good, stimulates the creativity. The two labels were snapping up local JA talent in blinding flash. Great records where being pressed and shipped quicker than you could strip a Chrysler Cordoba. Fans win out this round. In those imported crates, along with the Bob Marley’s big movers came random gambles. “Black Uhuru? Names I never heard of! Cover looks cool though”.
Of course, I would not remain an ignorant MF’er for long.
I would spend every Saturday afternoon scourging the bins. Sometimes unearthing more than I my wallet could sustain. Sometimes the picture was bleak.

In those bins I found these releases. Heaven’s treasure. So here is a list of my first time dozen…



Culture’s International Herb is a high vibe lie low affair. Their sound is the sweet nothings of a lover whispering in your ear. That is if you love blazing the Chalice and chanting down Babylon. Culture’s Joseph Hill was a politician. Not a politician like the barking devil dogs of the Capitalist party. Hill was a Statesman for Jah. Hill was the Keeper Of Zion Gate. This is one of the strongest from the Roots era. Their Two Sevens Clash is a tight second place. Joseph’s son Kenyatta continues walking his late father’s shoes. No numbers necssary. The perfect buzz!



Israel Vibration’s The Same Song was their debut and is still the best place to start. You need it if your gonna pass Go. Sure, the band made up of Apple Gabriel, Skelly and Wiss soldiered on to make more great records, but this first one has all the optimism, innocence and enthusiasm of group that has not yet experienced the ugly of business. Apple split solo after the last dip down. Skelly and Wiss are still keeping the name high. Good stuff. 7.5 out of 10 stars.



The Wailing Soul’s Inchpinchers. The band had been kicking around JA studios for quite some time before scoring international with Inchpinchers. This would be their highest peak chart-wise. Sadly, this Roots Rocker style was nearing the end of its shelf-life. The new trends in dancehall swept most of these bands off the charts. The Wailing Souls refuse to be a dusty old memory and still continue like nothings changed. 7.5 out of 10 stars.



Steel Pulse’s Handsworth revolution. This band sounded completely original. There is a subtle difference to their vibe. They even Thanked and Praised a little differently. Possessed a punks attitude but without the noisy guitar. I at the time had no clue that they were English. Media coverage was scarce in all things JA. The music rags even seemed to gloss over it in favor of the new wave of haircuts. The band was the first-born generation of Jamaican parents who migrated to England after JA’s independence. (A farce of sorts). These folks were led to believe career opportunities waited for them. The JA immigrants filled the dole queue with the rest of England’s disenchanted. This band delivered 4 or 5 albums of unarmed resistance before going radio friendly. Although, David Hinds, the bands big boss is back at it giving Babylon a good fight. 9 out of 10 stars.



Mr David Hinds and his gravity defying locks!



Militant Barry’s Green Valley was the dreadest! Darker than Big Youth. Thicker than I- Roy. Deadlier at the mic than Clint Eastwood. Producer Keith Hudson supplied the murkiest sludge to get your ears stuck in. Bass so wicked your bones felt possessed. This record requires your undivided attention. This needs to be thumped loudly through your speakers. Green Valley was my first DeeJay experience. It blew my mind like the cheap pair of speakers I blasted it through!. Green valley is one of my all time favorites spins. 10 out of 10 stars. The perfect buzz!



Eek-A-Mouse’s Wha Do Dem. What in Babylon is this? Nobody scats that fast! What a wordsmith Mr. Mouse is. Tales for the whole family to enjoy! 9.5 out of 10 stars. A mighty fine buzz!



The remastered CD version with new cover which is the original vinyl's back cover.



Jah Lloyd’s Black Moses. Coming off the heels of the Lee Perry produced Colombia Colly record Jah Lloyd delivered Black Moses like he was being chased by the hounds from Hell. This record is a blistering set of words and music. Dread power, black man power, people power and even the power of suggestion . Virgin Record's top dog Richard Branson got jealusous of Island Records grabbing the lion’s share of the Reggae market, so he sent Johnny Rotten/Lydon of the recently imploded Sex Pistol to Jamaica for some serious cool out and to talent scout. Mr. Rotten signed on the dotted line those artist that scared Island records. 9.5 out of 10 stars. Chronic!

Not quite the promised dozen 'cause my eyes are bugging. Once I focus...