Culture featuring Joseph Hill, is reggae’s preeminent harmony group. Born in the 70's golden age of reggae, the ever viable Culture has garnered continual US and international acclaim for its long series of classic “roots†albums. Culture’s legendary “Two Sevens Clash†(Shanachie) was Reggae Album of the Year in 1977 and is acknowledged today by Rolling Stone Magazine (April 11, 2002) as #25 of the 50 all time coolest records (the only reggae album to make the list).
Culture’s music, featuring the shining lead vocals of Joseph Hill, is solidly roots, perfectly executed and delivered with genuine emotional fervor. Joseph Hill’s devotion to the traditional Rastafarian values of purity, simplicity and justice is exemplified by Culture’s lyrical themes. Milo Miles, writing for The New York Times, named Culture as “the leading exponent of ‘conscious reggae’â€. Hill’s message is clear and uplifting. His songwriting abilities are outstanding and music reviewers have lauded his achievements for two decades.
Born in St. Catherine, Jamaica and involved with music since early youth, Joseph Hill began his professional recording career in 1972 with the single “Behold the Land.†By 1976 Joseph and his cousin Albert Walker had formed a trio whose name evolved into Culture with the release of the mythic “Two Sevens Clash.†Joseph Hill performed solo under the name Culture and recorded several projects during the early eighties; he and Albert subsequently reunited and have since produced a long series of critically acclaimed recordings. In fact, Culture’s entire body of work (over 28 albums) can be recommended almost without exception. Noted albums such as “Nuff Crisisâ€, “Cumbolo,†and “Wings of a Dove†virtually define the “roots†genre.
Culture’s level of energy and creativity are consistently superlative. They have performed brilliantly to spellbound audiences at countless festivals, concerts and clubs around the US and throughout the world. Culture’s backing band, Forces of Justice provides cohesion and energy behind the sweet harmonies of Albert and Telford Nelson and Joseph’s dynamic lead vocals.
