Customer Reviews

World Peace

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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.

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 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!

Another essential release from Culture. Still smokin' after all these years, Joseph Hill has proved once again why he is one of roots reggae's few remaining elder statesmen. Be sure to catch him live if you get the chance. Peace!

The music of Culture gets addicting real fast. This music makes you feel good even through the more serious songs. Love and Light, heart and wisdom!

I am really a bob marley fan but I wanted something new. After, researching for good reggae music. I found culture. Most of their songs here are good. It keeps you grooving. this is a good reggae collection.

This is an instant classic. No Flaws. I just keep playing it over and over again. Reggae at its best. A must have.

This is one of the best Reggae albums to come out for a long time "World Peace", featuring Culture a mesmerizing preacher-teacher who tells it like it is. Heavy bass and drums, vibrating your whole being and getting through the fibers of life with every lyric.

Several highlights ~ "WORLD PEACE", purity of harmonies reign within this simply but true statement ~ "NO SEGREGATION", hits home in every part of the world, no matter where you're standing at the time ~ "SELECTION TRAIN", again the lyrics blend with the beat, all you need is clean hands and pure in heart to climb aboard the Reggae train...sounds good to me.

If Reggae is your cup of tea, then this one is a keeper. Take a bow Rounder Records for this enjoyable release, look forward to many more of the same...gotta love it!

Total Time: 50:54 on 13 Tracks ~ Rounder 7764-2 ~ (6/17/2003)

good album. most of songs are good.