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World Peace captures classic Culture of old

Trevor Holland | Raleigh, NC USA | 06/17/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"CULTURE
World Peace
Heartbeat Joseph Hill is one of reggae's greatest living songwriters and survivors. When you think that most international recording artists able to deliver thirty albums in over a quarter of a century, might or should be millionaires - here comes Hill, still thriving on a large underground fan base and working the club circuit that extra hard with every passing year. If he has wealth, it's not related to silver or gold, but in wisdom and prophecy.
In 1977, Hill's vocal group Culture (then comprising of Hill's cousin, Albert Walker and cousin-in-law, Kenneth Paley) released an album of legendary proportions, `Two Seven's Clash' that made an impact on the growing legion of white, anti-establishment English punk rockers of the time. England was a hot bed for sufferer's music of all kinds and with racism rearing its ugly head, the country's wild youth found some solace in the sufferer's sound of Joseph Hill and company.
What has emerged in the twenty six years since, is a reggae icon of majestic proportions who conducts himself in public with dignity and always has a joke or two to pull out from behind your ear. Surviving the exodus of young ears to reggae dancehall's phenomenon during the late 80's and early 90's, Hill elevated his stature with the emerging roots, reggae revivalists during the late 90's. He and Culture crowned the 20th century with a series of impressive albums, `One Stone,' `Trust Me' `Cultural Livity' (live), `Pay Day' on RAS Records as well as `Humble African' on VP. Even today, Joseph Hill's voice shows no sign of wear or tear and his strength as a songwriter is just as apparent now with `World Peace' as it was with `Two Seven's Clash.'
A master at writing anthemic chants in a hymn-like manner, Hill's profound insights into poverty, war and injustice are all revealed on `World Peace.' From the cries of "Some of them a holler, some a ball" on `Time Is Getting' to the persevering restraint shown on `Never Get Weary,' Hill's hypnotic hooks grab your attention and never want to let go. Whether he's inviting George Bush to reason by his side (bible in hand) under a marijuana tree (as on the title track) or chanting alongside niyabinghi drums on the exceptional "Babylon Falling," Hill captivates as well as he does communicate. "There's enough (freedom) to satisfy a mans need, but not enough to satisfy his greed. Hill declares on. "Sweet Freedom."
The delightful harmonies and anecdotes on `World Peace' are enhanced by the inclusion on three tracks ("Bad A Bawl", "Dog" and "Holy Mount Zion") of Jamaica's leading roots band, The Firehouse Crew. These tracks are by no means superior as "Babylon Falling" will a-test, but certainly help solidify the album. Regardless of the fact, Joseph Hill has left us with another sublime piece of work for us to think about, repeat and respond to. Let's hope that he, Albert and Telford Nelson continue to walk in Jah light and soldier on toward world peace until all of life's tribulations "come down.""

Culture Is Harder Than The Rest

Gavin B. | St. Louis MO | 02/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joseph Hill is one of the few reggae musicians that can claim a rightful bloodline to the original roots conscious innovators who actually began the international movement of reggae music. To Joseph Hill's credit, Culture has remained firmly rooted in the spirit of Rasta consciousness and roots music that is essence of reggae. Some thirty odd albums later one finds Joseph occupying much the same musical space as he was in the mid-seventies. It's a very good space and while others have moved on, it has become remarkable how Culture continues to endure, not from a forumula of success, but by never deviating from what made them great. Culture never felt the need to follow trends, and devolve into a band that used electronic gimmickery and an attitude of "slackness" into order to stay relevant. Culture keeps doing what they've always done best, which will leave Joseph Hill the last man standing, when all of the accounts are set straight. Cuture is truly harder than the rest."

As large as the planet & all the love of Jah

I X Key | tomorrow | 11/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Culture is not a band that wastes time with anything less than the hugest issues. From the title song announcing that we can't take another war & that we want world peace to the mystic reverie Walk in Jah Light & other demands for social rectification, such as No Segregation, everything on this CD is monumentally important. Both the lyrics & the completely memorable music! Good on Culture!"