Back in stock: Reggae

Review: This first-ever CD anthology of Culture's earliest singles captures the trio in their purest, most incendiary form. Formed in 1976 by lead singer Joseph Hill, with Albert Walker and Roy Dayes, the Jamaican group emerged under the name The African Disciples before becoming Culture and signing with Joe Gibbsione of Kingston's most revered producers. What followed was a run of revolutionary 7"s and 12"s, including the seismic 'Two Sevens Clash', whose apocalyptic prophecy shook the reggae landscape. These recordingsinow collected in full, dub sides and allichart the group's 1977 to 1981 run with Gibbs, a period widely regarded as their peak. Tracks like 'Zion Gate' and 'See Dem a Come' show their power not just as writers of militant roots reggae, but as spiritual messengers, blending dread prophecy with hypnotic riddims. Even in dub form, these versions retain urgency and weight, anchored by Hill's unshakeable vocal tone and Gibbs's rich, bass-forward production. Later work with Sonia Pottinger would push their sound further afield, but what's here is raw, righteous and definitive. Eight tracks make their CD debut, finally doing justice to an era of singles that shaped both Culture's legacy and the wider trajectory of roots reggae itself.

Review: This hard-hitting EP of tough-as-you-like roots was dropped to great acclaim in 1981. The deep and heavy dubs were mixed by the one and only Scientist at the legendary King Tubby's studio with great mic work from Michael Prophet, Patrick Andy and Alric Forbes. The original has been fully remastered for this reissue which comes on both CD and vinyl formats. It is music drenched in island vibes with dark soul and plenty of great horns. The mixing is of course next level, as always with Scientist, so you can be sure of a real trip when listening to this one front to back.