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Album Details

• Artist: Culture
• Album: Two Sevens Clash
• Label: Shanachie
• Year of Release: 1978
• ME Rating: Indie Classic
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2007-03-13

Does your reggae knowledge begin and end with Bob Marley? Well I've got news for you, there is a very diverse genre waiting for you to discover. And one of the bands you should start with is Culture. They were led by the amazing singer Joseph Hill and while most of their music had a Rastafarian feel and vibe to it, it remains very accessible. If you are looking for a place to start, their 1978 classic Two Sevens Clash is the perfect hopping on point.

The title was taken from the the Rastafarian belief that when the two sevens clashed the apocalypse would begin (July 7th, 1977). It didn't happen but we are left with this amazing reggae album that incorporates religious overtones with cultural influences. With these two influences Two Sevens Clash comes across as a very diverse album for a reggae album. The album begins with the track "Get Ready to Ride the Lion to Zion", which is nice and upbeat to ease you into Culture's style. "Black Starliner Must Come" hits a little harder and is darker. But easily remedied with "Jah Pretty Face". This is the template that Two Sevens Clash takes on, a very diverse one with influences only hinting at what Culture was capable. My favorite of the 10 tracks is "Natty Dread Taking Over". It's mellower but really has a happy overtone.

If you have checked this one out and are even more curious about Culture, might I recommend Harder Than The Rest or International Herb as a follow-up. You'll see that Culture is indeed a necessary addition to any reggae collection.

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