ELDER statesman of Jamaican reggae Joseph Hill and his group Culture play in Kendal tonight (Friday).

One of the most respected names in the business, Culture bring their Rastafarian roots reggae to the Brewery Arts Centre.

Their debut album Two Sevens Clash recorded in the late 70s and released on CD in 2000 was recently ranked 25th in Rolling Stone's 50 Coolest Records of All Time and inspired The Clash to call themselvesThe Clash.

Armed with heavy rhythms, ranging from dancehall beats to trad-itional Rastafarian inspired drumming, Joseph Hill and Culture first hit the music scene in 1977.

Their mix of scorching reggae rhythms, militant protest lyrics and Hill's passionate lead vocals, had a marked effect on London's punk scene.

The contemporary to Bob Marley and Burning Spear Hill has influenced the rising generation of reggae stars like Sizzla and Anthony B.

Two-and-a-half decades after the release of Two Sevens Clash, Joseph Hill and his band are still making incendiary music, something which can be heard on Culture's latest and 30th album release World Peace.

The band also have a Kendal connection as A&R man Chris Wilson comes from a long line of Kendal Wilsons.

Culture take to the Brewery stage at 8.30pm. To book tickets or for more information, call the Box Office on 01539-725133.