Third World at Przystanek Woodstock: the Jamaican reggae group’s fortieth anniversary

Third World will perform on 1 August at the 19th Przystanek Woodstock! The concert forms part of the band’s 40th-anniversary tour and will be their only appearance in Poland. Third World are one of the longest-running reggae bands, playing continuously since 1973. During that time, they have become an institution, making and performing music, breaking down successive barriers and carrying their positive message wherever they appear.

Third World formed in Jamaica in 1973. Influenced by soul, funk and disco, their sound turns reggae into an extraordinary blend of styles.

Since 1973, the group have released 20 albums, their latest, “Patriots”, appearing in 2011. It features many excellent guests, including Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Stephen Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Marcia Griffiths, Dean Fraser, Toots Hibbert and Tarrus Riley. They have received numerous honours, including the New York City Ambassador Award at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in November 2009, the United Nations Peace Medal in 1986, Jamaican Music Industry Awards for Best Show in 1992 and 1996, and 10 (!) Grammy nominations.

They have numerous hits to their name, including “Now That We've Found Love”, “96 Degrees in the Shade”, “Cool Meditation”, “Dancing on the Floor”, Stevie Wonder’s “Try Jah Love”, “Sense of Purpose”, “Forbidden Love”, “Reggae Ambassador”, “Committed” and “Reggae Party”. They have also collaborated with major names including Jackson Five, Bob Marley and The Wailers and Stevie Wonder. Over 40 years, they have given an enormous number of concerts worldwide, including the opening of the 2007 Cricket World Cup in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston.

Third World began when keyboardist Michael “Ibo” Cooper and guitarist and violinist Stephen “Cat” Coore, previously with The Alley Cats and Inner Circle among others, decided to form their own band. Original drummer Cornell Marshall had previously played in Tomorrow's Children, one of Jamaica’s best-known 1960s groups. Singer “Prilly” and percussionist Irving “Carrot” Jarrett completed the line-up on the debut, “Third World” (Island 1976). It included a cover of “Satta Massagana”, originally performed by The Abyssinians and one of reggae history’s most foundational compositions.

The second album, “96 Degrees In The Shade”, appeared in 1977 and contained many hits. The band's legendary line-up also took shape at this time. “Prilly” was replaced by the charismatic “Bunny Rugs” Clarke. The rhythm section changed too, with bassist Ritchie Daley and drummer Willie Stewart joining the band.

Third World’s greatest success undoubtedly came at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s with their version of American group O'Jays’ “Now That We Found Love”, a major hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1979. It caught Stevie Wonder’s attention. With Melody A McCully, he began working with them, producing another major hit, “Try Jah Love”. Third World also guested in the third season of SCTV, Second City Television, the Canadian comedy series.

In the mid-eighties, “Carrot” left the band over artistic differences. Following this change, the five-piece decided to record more commercial songs such as “Sense Of Purpose”, “Reggae Ambassador”, “Forbidden Love” and “Shine Like A Blazing Fire”. Further line-up changes followed, with Cooper and Stewart leaving. Despite these personnel changes, the band enjoyed and continue to enjoy success, recording and touring without interruption to this day.

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