Culture

Culture is a Jamaican roots reggae group from Kingston, active from 1976 to the present. The classic line-up is Joseph Hill on lead vocals, with Albert Walker and Kenneth Dayes on backing vocals. The group is also associated with later members and contributors including Kenyatta Hill, Telford Nelson and Kenneth Dayes, and Joseph Hill’s son Kenyatta Hill later becomes the lead singer after Joseph Hill’s death.

Formation and early recordings

The group starts out under the name the African Disciples before taking the name Culture in 1976. Soon after forming, it begins recording with producer Joe Gibbs and engineer Errol Thompson, often referred to as the “Mighty Two”. Sessions at Gibbs’ studio produce a run of singles, many of which appear on the debut album Two Sevens Clash.

Albums, labels and collaborators

After the early work with Gibbs, Culture records a series of albums for producer Sonia Pottinger. The band works with a number of leading Jamaican musicians, including Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, Ansel Collins, Cedric Brooks and percussionist Sticky. Virgin Records later distributes the albums, helping the group reach a wider audience outside Jamaica. The U.S. label Shanachie also releases a steady stream of new and older Culture albums, including Wings Of A Dove.

Critical standing and later history

Culture is regarded as one of the most authentic traditional reggae acts. In the first Rolling Stone Record Guide, it is the only band of any genre with more than one recording listed to receive a five-star review for every recording. In 1982 the original three singers go their separate ways: Hill continues to use the Culture name and records the Lion Rock album, released in the United States by Heartbeat Records, while Walker and Dayes record a set of songs that later appear on Roots & Culture.

Reformation and continuing line-up

The original line-up reforms in 1986 to record the albums Culture in Culture and Culture at Work. This begins a period of frequent album releases and touring. Joseph Hill dies in Germany while the group is on tour in 2006, after which Kenyatta Hill takes over lead vocals.