1. A roots regg… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists that have used this name:
1. A roots reggae band from Jamaica
2. A straight edge metalcore band from Florida, US
1. Culture was a Jamaican roots reggae group founded in 1976. Originally they were known as the African Disciples.
The members of the trio were Joseph Hill (lead vocals), Albert Walker (backing vocals) and Kenneth Dayes (backing vocals).
Shortly after Culture came together, they began working with the "Mighty Two" – producer Joe Gibbs and engineer Errol Thompson. While at Gibbs’ studio, they recorded a series of powerful singles, many of which ended up on their debut album ‘Two Sevens Clash’. After their success with Gibbs, the group went on to make a string of albums for producer Sonia Pottinger. Culture began working with some of the premier musicians of the day including Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, Ansel Collins, Cedric Brooks and the ever-present percussionist Sticky. Virgin Records picked up the albums, and that added distribution enabled Culture to gain an even larger following outside of Jamaica.
Critically considered one of the most authentic traditional reggae acts, at the time of the first Rolling Stone Record Guide publication, they were the only band of any genre whose every recording received a five-star review (of bands with more than one recording in the guide).
In 1982 the three singers went their own ways. Hill carried on using the Culture name, and recorded the Lion Rock album, which was released in the United States by Heartbeat Records. For their part, Walker and Dayes recorded a handful of songs on their own – a few of which turned up on an album titled Roots & Culture. In 1986 the original line-up reformed to record two highly regarded albums – Culture in Culture and Culture at Work. These releases marked the beginning of a very busy period for the group, including annual albums and countless tours. The U.S. label Shanachie released a steady stream of new and old Culture albums up to Wings Of A Dove in 1992.
Joseph Hill, who came to symbolize the face of Culture, died in Germany on 19 August 2006 while the group was on tour. His son, Kenyatta Hill, now is the lead singer.
2) Classic mid/late 90s hardcore from Florida, celebrated for, among a handful of others, helping to cultivate the burgeoning metallic hardcore sound that became synonymous with the era.
CULTURE was known for aggressive social/political/ecological commentary, cautionary tales of reckless consumerism and industrial sprawl, and advocacy of the straightedge lifestyle.
Former members went on to Morning Again, Terror, As Friends Rust, Shai Hulud, Throwdown, Blood Has Been Shed and (most recently) ON BODIES.
In 2012, CULTURE played its first show since disbanding in 1998 (The Reel & Restless Fest in Miami, Florida). This fall, in August of 2013, the band will revisit Europe for Belgium's famed Ieper Hardcore Festival, and will then play three dates in Japan, including Tokyo's Bloodaxe Fest.
Members included:
Rich Thurston (Guitar: 1993-1997, Bass: 1993, Vocals: 1993, Drums: 1996)
Josh Williams (Drums: 1993-1997)
Stan Obal (Bass: 1993)
Mark Mitchell (Vocals: 1993, Vocals: 1996)
Pete Carreno (Bass: 1994)
John Wylie (Guitar: 1994-1995)
Damien Moyal (Vocals: 1994-1995, Vocals: 1997-1998)
Gordon Tarpley (Bass: 1995-1997, Guitar: 1998)
Louie Long (Vocals: 1995)
Anthony Conte (Vocals: 1995)
Steve Looker (Guitar: 1996-1997)
Jason Dooley (Drums: 1997)
Timothy Kirkpatrick (Drums: 1997-1998)
Joe Simmons (Guitar:1997-1998)
Floyd Beckham (Bass: 1998)
Kenneth Brian (Guitar: 1998)
Cumbolo
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Freedom
Back To Culture
Back to culture
Take me onto culture
Yirrmal djungguwan
Back to culture
Take me onto culture
When you're in line with beat
And you're feeling so fine
And your feet can't help but move
Join the circle of men
Women, children and friends
In the rhythm of love
Gaywa gaywa gaywa gaywa
Yirrmal djungguwan
Gaywa gaywa gaywa gaywa
Yirrmal djungguwan
The smile of a child
Sends a message of hope
Back to culture yeah
Beware of the storm
Of contradictions
The law is on my side
Gaywa gaywa gaywa gaywa
Yirrmal djungguwan...
Back to culture
Take me onto culture
Yirrmal djungguwan...
Gatju mak yawirriny
Bukmak yawirriny
Gatju mak yawirriny
Bukmak yawirriny
Yawirriny!
Gaywa gaywa gaywa gaywa
Yirrmal djungguwan
When you're in line with beat
And you're feeling so fine
And your feet can't help but move
Join the circle of men
Women children and friends
In the rhythm of love
Gaywa gaywa gaywa gaywa
Yirrmal djungguwan...
Back to culture
Take me onto culture
Yirrmal djungguwan...
Back to culture
Take me onto culture
Yirrmal djungguwan
The lyrics to Culture's song "Cumbolo" articulate a desire to return to cultural roots and tradition. The refrain "Back to culture, take me onto culture, Yirrmal Djungguwan" is a call to remember and embrace traditional Aboriginal heritage. The song encourages the listener to connect with the rhythm of their community, standing in a circle with men, women, children, and friends, and join in the rhythm of love. The rhythmic chanting of "Gaywa gaywa gaywa gaywa," adds to the sense of community and unity, and elevates this song to a celebration of cultural identity.
The lyrics in the song also address issues of contradiction and challenges to maintaining tradition. There is a caution to be aware of the storm of contradictions, but also a message of hope in the smile of a child that sends a positive message of embracing cultural identity. The use of a mix of English and the Yolngu Matha language reinforces the cultural message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Back to culture
Returning to one's heritage and traditions
Take me onto culture
Guide me towards my roots and traditions
Yirrmal djungguwan
A call to action; let's go back to our culture
When you're in line with beat
When you're in tune with the rhythm
And you're feeling so fine
When you're enjoying the music
And your feet can't help but move
When the beat is so infectious, you start dancing involuntarily
Join the circle of men
Come together as a community
Women, children and friends
Everyone is welcome
In the rhythm of love
Dancing to express the love and joy of being together
The smile of a child
The innocence and hope of children
Sends a message of hope
Even in difficult times, hope can be found in the happiness of children
Beware of the storm
Be aware of the challenges and contradictions in life
Of contradictions
The opposing forces in life that can create conflict and confusion
The law is on my side
Taking comfort in knowing that you are following the right path
Gatju mak yawirriny
Let's come together, let's unite
Bukmak yawirriny
Let's dance together
Yawirriny!
Dance!
Contributed by Julian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@samuelodanga2306
It's no doubt them a friend and friend together
I and I a blackbird flock together
Walla, walla, walla, walla
Walla, walla, walla, walla
Cumbolo, step higher
Walla, walla, walla, walla
Walla, walla, walla, walla
Cumbolo, step higher
Dem a have a beak
De whole a dem a cumbolo, cumbolo
Come mek we step higher, step higher
For dem a cumbolo, cumbolo
Come mek we step higher, step higher
Fe dem have a beak
De whole a dem a cumbolo, cumbolo
Come mek we step higher, step higher
For dem a cumbolo, cumbolo
Come mek we step higher, step higher
Dem a come fe eat
'Cause Jah people like to eat a bread
Eat a bread, I-ah, eat a bread
Eat a bread, I-ah, eat a bread, hey
Eat a bread, eat a bread, eat a bread, eat a bread
Dem a come fe eat
'Cause Massa people like to eat a bread
Eat a bread, I-ah, eat a bread
Eat a bread, aah
Walla, walla, walla, walla
Walla, walla, walla, walla
Cumbolo, step higher
Walla, walla, walla, walla
Walla, walla, walla, walla
Cumbolo, step higher
Children of Israel!
(..)
Dem a come fe eat
'Cause Jah people like to eat a bread
Eat a bread, for nothing at all, I say
Eat a bread, eat a bread, eat a bread
Jah bread, Jah bread
Eat a bread, eat a bread, eat a bread..
Them have a beak
But the whole a dem a cumbolo, cumbolo
Come mek we step higher, step higher
For dem a cumbolo, cumbolo
Come mek we step higher, step higher
Come mek we, come mek we, come wek we
Cumbolo, cumbolo, cumbolo, step higher, step higher
They all are friends together
Come to set I against you
Cumbolo, cumbolo
Come mek we step higher, step higher
Dem a have a beak
De whole a dem a cumbolo, cumbolo
Come mek we step higher, step higher
For dem a cumbolo, cumbolo
Step higher, step higher
Birds of one feather and they flock together, yeah
Cumbolo, cumbolo
Come mek we step higher
Come mek we step higher
Come mek we cumbolo, for dem a cumbolo
For dem a step higher, step higher
Babylon and inspector together
Cumbolo, cumbolo
Step higher, step higher
Truly truly sad from without
Cumbolo, cumbolo..
Step higher, step higher..
@greekpapi
Over the years I saw Culture over 6 times here in NYC and every show was incredible. They were a great live band!!!
@samuelodanga2306
You were blessed to watch this legend perform live.
@jbfitness38jb37
@@samuelodanga2306 foreal. Legendary CULTURE...
@eddiedelisio
This is one of the best tunes to see live too
@joanawoolf
Também tive esse privilégio!
❤️💚💛
@jahjahroad
@Philinikos : The word COMBOLO is often used by older Jamaican folks. Combolo means: friends, companion, accomplice, etc. The whole a them a combolo; they are working together as friends. BABYLON a combolo, means a kingdom of oppressors working together as a team. Culture was a lyrical genius. Peace and Love.
@cityandsuburb
jahjahroad
A thousand thanks Road, for a succinct & greatly enlightening definition....
Thanks once again...!
Gus.
@lawrencenjawe1935
@ Philinikos This term keeps creeping up on reggae recordings, & I've been wondering for years what it meant. Thanks for the info.
@ipaper9477
@jahjahroad thanks for translation......
@kpenkpelewarasta178
Thank you very much for the meaning of it
Greetings from Ghana West Africa 🇬🇭