Roots Archives Forum

Greetings, happy New Year roots lovers.

I recently had a chance to listen to King Culture's production "More Vibes of Barry Brown with Stama Rank".

I can't believe I had never even heard of this LP. Without doubt one of the toughest mid-80s sets out there. The album is "inna showcase style", with great dubs and DJ stylee by Stama Rank interspersed with wonderful Barry Brown singing throughout.

Production style to me sounds like a cross between a Wackies set and Scientist: "sharp" snares/cymbals, but heavy bass and a bit "warmer" than a Wackies tune. Melodies are all strong.

Questions: anyone know details about King Culture and some of his other works- it looks like he is based in Canada, and has recorded substantially with Howie Smart (thanks Reggaepedia) as well as at least one album with Rod Taylor, which I would love to hear.

Anyhow, thought I would share my discovery in case anyone else has overlooked the (I will say) GREAT King Culture!

Link to big tune off the album's B Side: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDLwfPmTwgA

Peace in 2014 to all.

Greetings Slugger - and all RA massive.

There's some King Culture info on the Reggaepedia at:

http://reggaelicious.pbworks.com/w/page ... %20Culture

Some discography was on there too but not sure how to access now - come in Kalcidis

Mi never know about this but all the same massive respect to king culture.

There is a release by Tuff Scout on the same piano driven rhythm as the Barry Brown/Stamma cuts above.

Mr Dallas - Can't give up (with a great flute dub on the flip, courtesy of Ben Aarons).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfUOvyObTvU

King Culture's productions are great. Canadian reggae from the 1970s and 80s doesn't get the recognition it deserves - mainly because it wasn't often distributed outside of Canada and can be hard to find.

Since Everett is still around, he really needs to re-release his catalog. There are a few King Culture collections available on CD, but I have only ever seen them for sale on a dodgy German website.

Yes, King Culture is a great producer and he is still active. His productions released recently by Tuff Scout have all been fantastic. I have a discography somewhere but it's not complete in any way. There's a lot of King Culture productions that haven't been properly credited that it's lacking. Going to put it up on website sometime when I have more time (which probably will never happen it feels like).

He has a book about to be released quite soon that I think will be very nice. All respect to King Culture for what he has done in the music and what he keeps on doing.

Out of the albums he has released I think these should be checked out:
[cover=6053,4348]
**King Culture - In A Cultural Mood LP (King Culture, 1981)**
Great dub album! Has the dub to Trevor Sinclair's unreleased »Born & Raise in Africa« which is wiiild! Some tracks were recorded in the Black Ark.

[cover=3445,3678]
**The Uplifter - We Are Moving LP (King Culture, 1983)**
Has one of King Cultures probably strongest productions on it with the opening track Mighty Ruler. Also a differently mixed (alternative vocal recording even) of Strength & Power. Beautiful mix of deepest roots and nice lovers.

[cover=1623,1886]
**Howie Smart meets King Culture In Dancehall Style LP (King Culture, 1983)**
**Howie Smart - Rock & Come In LP (King Culture, 1983)**
Howie Smart doing his best Leroy Smart in a dancehall style but with that heavy KCulture mix. Incredible sets both of them. Two different albums in the same sleeve. One is showcase style and the other one overlaps with one or two songs and doesn't have dubs. The latter one isn't on R-A but I've added it to [Discogs](http://www.discogs.com/Howie-Smart-Rock ... se/4101814).

[cover=2526,2908]
**Rod Taylor - Lonely Girl LP (King Culture, 1983)**
Serious cultural messages by Rod Taylor. As good as any of his other classic albums.

[cover=8404,4371]
**King Culture and I&I Records Present Roots & Culture LP (Drum and Bass, 198x)**
An incredible collection of King Culture productions released by A. Doeman in the US. Some of the tracks were recorded in the Black Ark.

And then of course there are numerous discos and singles that are crucial.

As a Dub collector I look after "In A Cultural Mood" for quite some time now. It was on ebay a few times and never really expensive. Somewhere between 30 and close to 100 Dollar. But somehow I regularily missed all these auctions.
Kinda bad luck, because I would have paid more

Kalcidis: big thanks for all the info provided. Quite a few cuts off the above albums can be heard on YouTube and they are all excellent. KC's productions are massive and all the vocalists that entered his studio seem to be top quality, even the little-known ones (Tommy Clarke!?)

Mick Sleeper: agreed that re-releases are needed for this catalog! (Might we be treated to a Canadian reggae set on BassCulture at some point? Just an idea of course- big up for all the excellent tunes showcased on the podcast).

Two enjoyable selections put together by Mr. Sleeper:
http://unitedreggae.com/mixes/201204/ca ... e,115.html

http://unitedreggae.com/mixes/201204/mo ... e,116.html

Thanks Slugger and Satta. I had forgotten about those Canadian reggae specials!

As mentioned, King Culture really needs to re-release his catalog, as the original LPs and singles always sell for ridiculous prices on E-Bay.

And thanks to Kalcidis for being somewhat of a King Culture expert!