by Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

The late Joseph 'Culture' Hill (Left), Junior Kelly in performance at 'A Night of Strictly Culture' held in honour of Joseph 'Culture' Hill held on the lawns of the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Kingston on Friday. - Colin Hamilton

There was song after song after song at Friday's 'A Night of Strictly Culture', the tribute concert to Joseph 'Culture' Hill on the grounds of the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road, St. Andrew.

However, there was also speech as a few of Hill's colleagues shared memories of the late singer with the large audience which turned out for the free concert.

In the early going a member of the female trio LMJ said "we had the privilege of working with Joseph on his last album, World Peace. His humility is unmatched". Lloyd Lovindeer said that it was the songs of Joseph Hill and Culture which "made me feel good" in Canada and, along with the drumming of Sly Dunbar, encouraged him to come home and get involved in the music business.

Mutabaruka, in his role as MC, spoke about the terrible effect that alcohol has on some people, an effect that ganja does not have, that there really was a cotton tree at Ferry Police Station and how there was a time when Rasta could not travel on the bus with the working people.

"Rasta come a long way," he said. "Culture talk about all the things we talk bout while ago. Dat mek him one of the most revered artiste in the world, especially AfricaÉ If you ever go Africa and see when Culture come pon stage, dem likkle bar cyaan hol' it," Mutabaruka said, indicating some guard rails.

He referred to a recent concert in Ghana where a lot of people were outside. However, "when dem sey 'Culture' all a de people whe did outside reach een. Neva pay".

Ibo Cooper asked for and got a 'one-two' handclap from the members of the audience as he led Nyahbinghi chants, but he also shared memories of Culture. "The most awesome experience was a show in Israel," he said. That show took place in a place where the border with Lebanon can be seen from the stage and the audience was 40 per cent Ethiopian. "When the man say 'natty never get weary' the place done," Cooper said.

"I was in Malawi and the people said they wanted to see two artistes, Culture and Sizzla," he said.

Bongo Herman said "me an Culture inna Ghana. De chief dem come fi Culture, carry him go up inna de hill. Dem crown him king a one village". And Ken Boothe recalled a plane flight with Joseph Hill, where "France we was coming from. He was the host on the plane, give everybody jokes. He is a good writer, a good singer".

And along with the memories, one person looked towards the future. "Which one a de yute whe a deal wid roots an' culture a go fill Joseph Hill shoes? Who is working?" Junior Kelly demanded.