Two Sevens Clash

It's rare for a group to write a record so powerful that it instilled an impending fear of apocalypse in the listener. The debut record from Kingston's Culture featured a track ‘Two Sevens’, which spoke of the end of the world taking place on July 7 1977 (the year of its release). This single, alongside other radio hits including ‘Natty Dread Taking Over’ and ‘See Them a Come’, quickly propelled the group to stardom. Their consequent releases never quite matched the impact of their debut, but their place in reggae history was secured.

This anniversary edition is a fine retrospective packed with extras, dubs and 12” mixes. The triple-vinyl edition has a great, bass-heavy, stripped-back version of ‘I’m Not Ashamed' with I-Roy and three ‘Natty Dread’ dubs, each with their own intricacies. The most welcome element, though, is Don Letts' exemplary liner notes. They are beautifully detailed, speaking well on Culture's enduring popularity within the UK punk scene, John Peel's fandom and their distinctive live show. It is a comprehensive package, and well worth picking up for anyone with an interest in reggae, roots or dub.