RARE TRACKS & COVERS

RARE TRACKS

‘Spotlight on Reggae, Volume ll’ (a Gibbs compilation on Rocky One label, which contains the 12” mix of ‘Zion Gate’ with DJ Prince Mohammed)

‘Prince Far I – ‘Under Heavy Manners’ (lp on Joe Gibbs label – contains lots of introductions and vocal bits from Hill)

Prince Far I – ‘Message From The King’ (7” on Cry Tuff label, also title track to Virgin lp – essentially a duet with Culture)

The Black Way’ (double lp from 1979 on the French ‘L’Escargot’ label – contains exclusive, demo sounding versions of ‘This Train’ and ‘Natty Dread Taking Over’) see FILM/VIDEO section.

‘The Reggae Train: More Great Hits From The High Note Label’ (really good collection of Pottinger productions on the Heartbeat label. It has an extended mix of ‘This Train’)

‘Calling Rastafari’ (wonderful roots compilation album on Nighthawk label. Has unique versions of ‘Calling Rastafari’, ‘This Time’ and ‘Dem A Payaka’)

‘Reggae On The Rocks – Live & Direct’ (compilation of live songs recorded at the festival. Culture appear with ‘International Herb’, ‘See Them A come’ and Jah Rastafari’)

‘The Roots All Stars – Gathering Of The Spirits’ (various artists collection produced by Mutabaruka released by Shanachie. Culture (possibly Hill alone) weighs in with the wonderful ‘Blackman King’)

‘The Best Of Heineken Startime Volume 1’ (CD released by Sonic Sounds in 1999). Poor editing, but still has moments. Culture (with ‘We The People’) perform ‘Natty Dread Taking Over’, ‘Stop Fussing and Fighting’ and ‘Money Girl’)

'Old to the New: A Steely & Clevie Tribute to Joe Gibbs Classics' (VP Records, 2002) contains updated versions of many Joe Gibbs hits from the late 1970s, including 'I'm Not Ashamed' and 'Two Sevens Clash' - the latter featuring Culture and DJ Anthony B. Other artists featured on the collection include: JC Lodge & Junior Kelly, Sean Paul & Sasha, Glen Washington, Mykal Rose, Richie Stephens, Freddie McGregor, George Nooks, Luciano & the Mighty Daimonds.

Early Errol Thompson dubs of Culture, and other artists who recorded for Joe Gibbs in the late 1970s, can be found on the following Pressure Sounds compilation: - JOE GIBBS & THE PROFESSIONALS - NO BONES FOR THE DOGS: DUBS 1974-1979 (Pressure Sounds, 2002): 1) Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - No Bones For The Dogs 2) The Mighty Two - I Stand Accused 3) Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - Six Foot Six 4) The Mighty Two - I Am Not Ashamed Version 5) The Mighty Two - Su Su Version 6) The Mighty Two - C/W Burning Version 7) Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - Roots Kunte Kintye 8) The Mighty Two - Give It To Jah 9) Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - The Road Is Rough 10) The Professionals - No Man's Version 11) The Mighty Two - War 12) The Mighty Two - War Is Over 13) The Mighty Two - Informer Version 14) The Mighty Two - Fulfilment 15) The Mighty Two - Financial Business 16) The Mighty Two - Alan: Hit By A. Larry 17) The Mighty Two - Earthquake 18) The Mighty Two - Baldhead Bridge

Dancehall Dee-Lite (Heartbeat, 2003) is a compilation of songs from the Fat Eyes label. It includes Trinity deejaying over Culture's 'Humble African'. Some of the other artists included are Beres Hammond, Sizzla, Luciano, Michael Rose and Capleton

Reggae On The River - Live (RAS/Santuary, 2004) features live songs by a wide variety of artists including Toots and the Maytals, Anthony B, Michael Franti and many others. Culture can be heard playing an extended version of 'International Herb'.

Culture joins up with Buju Banton for 'Weary', which is an updated version of 'Natty Never Get Weary'. The song can be found on a 7" single (Penthouse) as well as on Buju Banton's double CD titled 'Buju and Friends' (VP Records, 2004).

'Raw Truth - The One Riddim Showcase' CD - ababa janhoy records (2007). The CD includes multiple artists on the 'Raw Truth' rhythm including Joseph Hill and Kenyatta Hill. Other artists include: Big Youth, Daddy Rings, LMJ, Johnny Clarke, Ronnie Davis and Max Romeo.

COVERS

Glen Washington – ‘The Voice of the Father’ (Volcano). In the mid-70’s Glen did this cover of Hill’s ‘Behold’ for producer GG Ranglin. It should be pointed out that Washington and Hill worked together in two different bands in the early 1970’s – ‘C35 Incorporated’ and ‘Stepping Stone’. Washington also played drums on the ‘Africa Stand Alone’ album.

Johnny Clarke – ‘Authorized Rockers’ (a collection of covers on the Virgin Front Line imprint. Johnny gives ‘See Them A Come’ a workout)

Fellow Travellers - 'Love Shines Brighter' (A Return to Sender Release). This CD (from the early 90s) has splendid covers of Culture's 'Love Shines Brighter' as well as Dennis Brown's 'Money In My Pocket'. A little bit odd for a 'folk' group, but they both work really well. Elsewhere (the 'Things and Time' CD) the group does an equally engaging version of Gregory Isaacs' 'Poor & Clean'. Jeb Loy Nichols has gone on to work as a solo artist and his artwork can be found on several Pressure Sounds releases.

‘Trinity and Tranquility’ (various artist CD on Solden VSM – doesn’t have Culture, but has several artists singing over a Firehouse Crew reworking of the ‘Two Sevens Clash’ rhythm)

Saxsemilla – ‘Kingston Sessions’ (compilation on Saxsemilla label (‘Deadly’ Headley Bennett and Richie Prafder) which contains two Culture covers – ‘Campyard’ by Sugar Black and Lebanculeh, and ‘Wings of a Dove’ sung by a group called the Stingers)

On thier album 'Yerbabuena' (EMI Odeon Saic Argentia, 1996) the Argentinean group Los Pericos do a really fun cover of 'Psalm of Bob Marley' (titled: 'Salmo a Bob Marley'). For more information, see their website: http://www.pericos.com/

George Nooks – Zion Gate (Lion Paw). In the summer of 2001 a group of singles came out on the ‘Zion Gate’ rhythm - which was an update of John Holt's Studio One song 'Satisfaction'. Other interesting cuts are: Luciano – ‘Come Away’ and Glen Washington’s ‘Wanna Take You Home’. In late 2001 many of these singles ended up on a CD titled 'Trod'in to Zion' (Lion Paw/Hi Grade). It is interesting to note that in the 1970’s George Nooks deejayed under the name Prince Mohammid, and can be found on the 12" of Culture's ‘Zion Gate’ (Joe Gibbs)

The 'Two Sevens Clash' rhythm has also been revived by the 'Digital English' label. See the 45 with Calvin Incline's 'Millennium Drop' and Josiah's 'Roots and Culture'

2007, Jim Dooley

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