Culture’s lead vocalist/songwriter Joseph Hill had been a sound system DJ, a percussionist in the Soul Defenders backing Dennis Brown and Burning Spear, and a solo singer for Studio One before he realised his potential in 1976 with roots harmony group The African Disciples (soon known as Culture), featuring his cousin Albert Walker and Kenneth Dayes. Recording with producer Joe Gibbs and his engineer Errol Thompson (aka The Mighty Two) they released the dread prophecy single Two Sevens Clash and were rewarded with a Jamaican smash hit.
Predicting that when the two sevens clashed the world would end, its influence was such that when four sevens clashed in Kingston, on 7 July 1977, people stayed in their homes. Yet, lifted by the buoyant rhythms of backing group The Revolutionaries and Hill’s Rastafarian faith, the overall mood is one of hope and transcendence. This album, hastily assembled on the back of it, is equally vital, containing the defiant singles I’m Not Ashamed and See Them A Come, and the Marcus Garvey psalm, Black Starliner Must Come. Bonus cuts include the 12” version of Natty Dread Taking Over with I-Roy.
