The late 80s represent a robust but controversial period in the Jamaican
recording industry, as DJs were on the rise with new lyrical approaches, and digital production ruled the day. In the centre of the storm was Lloyd James better known as King Jammy, who is credited for revolutionizing digital production several years earlier with Wayne Smith’s “Under Mi Sleng Teng.” This was the era the term ‘dancehall’ came widely into circulation to describe the new digital sound that came to commonly include slack lyrics and gun themes popular on the street.

Still relevant, the artists from the 1970s were working to redefine themselves in the digital era. Groups like Cultural Roots remained active, even if their multi-part harmony vocals might have seemed overly ornate on these new digital backing tracks, replete with drum machines and sparse synthesized chords. Solo singers like Johnny Osbourne, Junior Murvin, and the up-and-coming Cocoa Tea found a place for melody alongside the new crop of emcees.

Originally released by Mango Records in 1988, Cultural Roots’ Running Back To Me features prime King Jammy digital production that brought forth hits like Wayne Smith’s “Sleng Teng” and would dominate Jamaican music between 1985-1995.

Cultural Roots emerged as a four-part harmony group for producer Donovan Germain in the late 1970s, releasing two albums. The group with its original line-up then recorded for Junjo Lawes, releasing Hell A Go Pop, one of the Greensleeves label’s lesser-known classics.
The group reemerged in 1988 with a new trio lineup for King Jammy, still led by singer Wade Dyce. Tracks include the ever-cultural “His Majesty Reign” and the moving love song “Passion Lover,” which shares the backing track with one of King Jammy’s all-time smash hits, Frankie Paul’s “I Know The Score.”

TRACKLIST:

A1. Big Finger

A2. Running Back To Me

A3`. Get Up, Stand Up

A4. Worries A Me Yard

A5. His Majesty Reign

B1. Sweet Lady

B2. Passion Love

B3. Distant Lover

B4. This Woman

B5. Run Around Girl