Stylistically, Primitive Culture roams the map. The local six-piece band falls into that uselessly all-purpose genre, “world music.” And that, as trombonist/percussionist Phil Lyons said recently with a for-heaven’s-sake tone in his voice, “includes polka.”

The closest Primitive Culture gets to polka is cumbia, a South American folk dance that singer/guitarist David Hecht picked up while living in Mexico for year in the late ’80s. The band’s 50-50 mix of originals and covers draws on decades of musical exploration into reggae, funk, Herbie Hancock-style jazz, straight-ahead blues and Latin grooves.

Despite over a decade playing together in various formations, Primitive Culture is just now releasing its debut album, “Fantasy” and celebrating it with an early show this Sunday, Nov. 29, at the High Noon Saloon. They recorded the album at E Labs Multimedia in Fitchburg with audio engineer Dave Poler, who worked for years at the Hit Factory in Miami with clients like Michael Jackson, N’Sync and Julio Iglesias.

“It’s not like most CDs. It sounds more like a compilation CD,” said Hecht. But “if people can invest 13 minutes into the first three songs, then they’ll have a snapshot of our band.”

The first three songs are all Hecht orginals. “What I’ve Been Told” is bouncy, horn-fueled funk with a contender for best opening line ever — “I don’t know but I’ve been told/ You’ve been running ’round like a horny toad.” The second, “Hook-up,” burns with the hip-popping rhythm of Caribbean salsa. The third, “Pile of Money,” is pop reggae in the vein of Trevor Hall.

“The band is open to doing just about anything. There aren’t any limitations,” said Hecht.

Playing without limits has as much to do with being open as it does with the band members’ musical versatility, according to Hecht and Lyons. Drummer Greg Marsh “can play everything from bebop jazz to reggae.” Saxophonist Bob Corbit is “the elder statesmen of sax in Madison,” and can even play two saxes at once — a gimmick, they concede, but a good one.

Corbit’s double-sax trick inspired the stick-figure musician depicted on the ceramic tablet Lyons made and photographed for the “Fantasy” album cover. A pottery teacher at West High School, Lyons said he wanted to evoke ancient Mayan art in the piece.

Hecht and Lyons graduated from Madison high schools the same year, 1977. Hecht has always been the band’s driving force, but other members flowed in, out and back in Primitive Culture and its previous incarnations in the decades since. The band struck gold with the current lineup — “like being married to five people,” said Hecht.

Primitive Culture sinks most of its energy into performing, so it’s actually not that surprising that “Fantasy” is the first album. They’ve got a following, too, a core of regulars who turn out to most shows to dance. Live shows are what it’s all about, anyway, a rush of endorphins and ecstasy, Lyons said.

“There’s a lot of camaraderie, a lot of hugging. Some people go have cigarettes afterward,” joked Hecht.

IF YOU GO

What: Primitive Culture

When: Sunday, Nov. 29, 4 p.m.

Where: High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave.

Cost: $6. 21+

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