For the Culture

After leading the Bergamo-based Reggae National Tickets during the late 1990s, Sicilian-born singer Alberto D’Ascola moved to Jamaica to launch his solo career as Alborosie, making a dramatic impact in the 2000s with songs like ‘Herbalist’ and ‘Kingston Town.’

Recorded at his Shengen studio in Jamaica using vintage gear, with much of the instrumentation handled by Albo himself, his eighth studio album For the Culture proclaims a commitment to furthering Jamaica’s foremost asset through message music that skates the line between contemporary roots and upfront dancehall. Topical issues are forcefully explored on Black Lives Matter commentary ‘Listen to the Waves’, the censorious ‘Bun A Fyah’, which decries the neglect of roots reggae in its homeland, and the stunning ‘Unprecedented Time’, which is a personal take on the COVID-19 pandemic that sensibly contemplates on our degradation of the earth rather than getting mired in conspiracy theories. Wailers bassist Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, the Wailing Souls, and Bermudan dancehall star Collie Buddz are among the guests, but with material pointing to roots, dancehall and pop-reggae, the direction feels incohesive in places, and there is gratuitous use of vocal effects. Nevertheless, the album is an enjoyable listen with plenty of captivating moments, and lines like ‘Jesus is my rockstar’ underline a very individual world view.