Panache Culture

A flavorful European reggae band that formed in the late '80s and broke out backing Jamaican performers like Early 16, Mickey Spice, Daweh Congo, and President Brown, as well as serving as X-rated Records' house band for a spell. The core members are four Moroccan brothers: Hamra Hassan (lead vocals, multi-instrumentalist), Hamra Abdelfetah (drums), Hamra Mohammad (bass), and Hamra Aziz (keyboards) who reside in Belgium where they formed Panache Culture; the rest of the band hail from numerous European countries giving PC a variety of musical influences. They record on the Netherlands' Runn Records and the first two albums under their name Tell Them and Travel in a Dream are fruity mixes of Arabic and Jamaican influences with dominated drum'n'bass beats that they call Souk (Sounds of Sparkling Vibes) both were given exotic mixes by Mad Professor who also did a 1999 release Moroccan Sunrise, credited to Borrah (the Hamra Brothers), the CD captivates you with its trance rhythms and engaging melodies. Roots Experience detoured a bit and featured rap reggae and oriental sounds. Lovers of good music everywhere can appreciate Panache Culture's infectious sounds. ~ Andrew Hamilton