On July 4th, the harmony trio Culture came to The Fox Theater in Boulder, Colorado to give an American Independence celebration. A conscious roots reggae group who has been on the scene for over a quarter of a century, the crowd was in anticipation from early on for the arrival on stage of Joseph Hill, and the two complimentary harmony backups Albert Walker and Telford Nelson.

Forces of Justice, Culture's backing band, started the set by covering Jackie Mittoo's "Darker Shade of Black", which itself was a cover of the Beatles tune "Norwegian Wood". After the crowd was warmed and well ready, Joseph Hill and Culture took the stage and wasted no time in providing the fireworks.

Dressed in a red, gold, and green camouflage shirt which would cause him to become lost in a reggae crowd, Joseph Hill played to the crowd almost immediately after taking the stage. With drum on his left, Walker and Nelson providing backup vocals to his left, and The Forces of Justice backing him, he provided his customary instructions. "I make the Music, and you make the noise" he told the crowd matter of factly.

After getting the crowd into a frenzy with some old classics such as "Addis Abbaba" and "Tell Me Where You Get It", they brought everyone together with the universal cry in the aptly named song "Legalization" off their most recent album Pay Day. Viewing from an upper vantage point, I could see everyone singing along, including the rhythm guitar player dressed in Chinese garb. Following quickly on the theme, they quickly brought the crowd out more as everyone cried out the familiar Culture chant "The International Herb."

Joseph Hill had his fair share of preaching of course, and nothing more memorable than his talk of the July 4th Celebration. Speaking of America's tendency to celebrate by drinking beer, he spoke of Jamaica also celebrating their day of independence from Britain (August 5th, 1962) in much the same manner. However, he explained that there were no beer drinking songs to drink to and proceeded to sing a song he made up for just such an occasion. I could not grab it all, but the last line spoke of "All our friends drink our beer." It was a light hearted moment which had the crowd in a jubilant and laughing mood.

Finishing off with an instrumental version of Rastaman Chant, Albert Walker, as well as the whole band and crowd, were dancing, smiling and genuinely seemed to be having the time of their lives.

Culture played for a great set of an hour and fifty minutes, and the crowd was filled with smiling faces, Ethiopian flag wavers, kissing of drums, laughter, spiritual ness, teaching, preaching, and basically one great night of conscious roots reggae music. I would be extremely surprised if anyone left The Fox feeling as if they saw anything less than a great show.

4-Word, a local Colorado band, opened up nicely for Culture, providing a good vibe and setting the stage correct. Ras Gabriel has a very smooth voice, and the band showed experience as they kept a steady diet of grooves for the crowd to lose themselves in. Even with the limitations of having no central leadership and a focal point of a back up singer/dancer who seemed uncomfortable as the main attraction, 4-Word was a nice bonus to see before the legendary Culture.

I made the noise, and I thank Culture and Joseph Hill of putting on a great show for me.