7-track EP from reggae legend Culture, includes 4 previously unissued tracks.

Culture began recording in 1976 with an early cut of “This Time” which was only released on an obscure Jamaican single. Composed in response to the state of emergency declared by the Jamaican government in that year, the early recording is a tame and lyrically altered version of the original song as finally presented on this album. “We couldn’t do it in dem time, We gonna give you the real ‘This Time’.” During the late 1970s Culture recorded seven fine albums, three for Joe Gibbs, three for Sonia Pottinger, and one issued in America by April Records, which Joseph Hill regarded as a bootleg. Culture was truly in their prime when they recorded the material included on this album. The first three tracks were recorded in 1981 with backing by the Roots Radics. The remaining tracks were taped in 1983 with backup by The Wailers band.

—Leroy Jodie Pierson

“Calling Rastafari,” “Dem A Payaka,” and “This Time” were all originally included on the 1982 Nighthawk compilation album, Calling Rastafari. Most of the tracks released on the classic, roots reggae compilation, were recorded during a three-day session in 1981 at the Harry J studio in Jamaica. The Culture songs appeared alongside tracks by Gladiators, Mighty Diamonds, Wailing Souls and others, with most of the songs being unique to the album including those by Culture.

“Can They Run” and “Mister Music” and their respective Versions were recorded two years after Calling Rastafari was issued and languished in the Nighthawk vaults until the release of this special, limited-edition EP. Omnivore Recordings is proud to present these historic recordings (on three different vinyl colors) to honor the legacy of Culture on this Record Store Day!

CD EP / 12″ EP Track List:

Disc 1:

1. Calling Rastafari
2. Dem A Payaka
3. This Time
4. Can They Run
5. Can They Run Version
6. Mister Music
7. Mister Music Version

Tracks 4–7 previously unissued.