Culture were icons of the classic era of mid-Seventies conscious reggae, with a close affinity to punk. Two Sevens Clash was their landmark album.

Reggae music was a natural partner for punk in 1976-77, its rebel spirit appealing to those of us with a shared interest in fighting against a rising tide of racism and conformity.

Punk bands often shared bills with reggae artists like Linton Kwesi Johnson, Black Slate, Misty In Roots and The Cimmarons and Two Sevens Clash, the debut album by Jamaican vocal trio Culture, was a landmark release in our world.

Joseph Hill’s devotional fervour pours from his voice, backed by his two cousins’ exuberant harmonies, as if they can’t wait for the apocapse that will bring them closer to Jah, according to Marcus Garvey’s prophesy.

Hanging out at the Four Aces club in Dalston on an almost nightly basis at that time of this record’s release, I remember the dreads’ genuine anxiety about the impending apocalypse “when the two sevens clash” on July 7 1977.
The musical backing, as ever, is faultlessly provided by Channel One’s house band The Revolutionaries, rooted in the signature “rockers”-style rhythms of Sly & Robbie.