A CONFESSION is in order: There are albums with feel good sentiments that appeal to the soul and allow for wanton glorification. This writer has fallen prey to this on many occasions. Liberal music critics tend to be critical of liberal music. The subject of this review is Culture's latest album Humble African.
It is as far away from the emotional and lyrical pornography that one associates reggae music of today. There has always been an effort to distinguish dancehall from reggae. That's bull! ,dancehall is just an off-shoot of reggae music albeit it's done on a faster rhythm and with very explicit lyrics. Neverthe-less, the argument is not about forms of music but Joseph Hill's latest CD.
Culture is the typical rastafarian musician, preaching love, unity interspersed with stinging attacks on society (Babylon) on a wh-ole. Basically, all Ras-tamen music sound s alike. They expound the same philosophies about repatriation, and black consciousness. Nothing wrong with that, but the scenery is getting blurred and monotonous.
It's not the message that irks so much as the continuous call for some force or deux ex machina to save all rastas from the hopeless situation they face in the western world.
Culture enlists the help of Tony Rebel, Marcia Griffiths and Morgan Heritage. Where Is The Love with Marcia Griffiths is a needless song on this album which was going strong with it's consistent lashing at injustice and for unity among brothers and sisters. Poor People Hungry with Tony Rebel deters from the sweet chant singing of Culture to the now ancient form of deejaying by Tony Rebel. At least Morgan Heritage saves the day with a creditable performance on Home Grown.
Well the truth in reviewing or critiquing is tell what is bad and good. Now that the bad has been told, it is time for the good.
Why am I rastaman?
Good question posed by Culture. Simple rhetoric that puts into perspective the feelings of this artiste. The album will definitely rank with the best of the best.
A pleasantly hard-core reggae album that has Culture voicing sociological problems facing Black people in the western world and the remedies for these hiccups. As one of the pre-eminent reggae musicians in the world today, Culture is bridging the gap and fusing the past with the present. The power tracks are Why Am I Rastaman?, Revolution, Going Home and Rolling Stone. Authentic Nyabingi drum beats pound out a sweet, trance-like melody that has not been heard on many a albums. Well done Culture. Another factor is that this musical general has stuck to his roots and still sounds fresh.
Culture pulls off some humour with short, bittersweet lyrics that just lightens up the seriousness of his message.
Unlike other albums which contain a mixture of message music with light ones, Culture is here to preach the message of self-help, righteousness, hope and love. If you are positively inclined, this album will be more than a Christmas present.
