Third World at Reggaeland: a first Polish concert and Jamaican reggae with soul and funk

At LIONSTAGE Management's special invitation, the crew led by Stephen “Cat” Coore and legendary singer Bunny Rugs will appear at Reggaeland, getting audiences dancing at the next edition of the Płock festival. It will be the group's first-ever Polish performance.

Third World formed in Jamaica in 1973. Influenced by soul, funk and disco, their sound makes their version of reggae an extraordinary blend. The band began when keyboardist Michael “Ibo” Cooper and guitarist and violinist Stephen “Cat” Coore, who had previously played with The Alley Cats and Inner Circle among others, decided to start a group of their own. The original drummer, Cornel Marshall, had previously played in one of Jamaica’s best-known bands of the 1960s, Tomorrow’s Children. Singer “Prilly” and percussionist Irving “Carrot” Jarrett completed the line-up on the debut album “Third World” (Island 1976). The album included a cover of “Satta Massagana”, originally performed by The Abyssinians and one of the most foundational compositions in reggae history.

Their 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 Inner Circle co-founder and drummer Willie Stewart, who decided to join the new 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-1980s, “Carrot” left over artistic differences. The remaining five members decided to record more commercial songs, including “Sense Of Purpose”, “Reggae Ambassador”, “Forbidden Love” and “Shine Like A Blazing Fire”. Further changes followed as Cooper and Stewart departed. Despite personnel changes, the band continued, and still continue, successfully recording and touring. They performed at the opening of the 2007 Cricket World Cup in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, among other events.

Third World continue their journey. The group have announced a world tour beginning in Europe, visiting Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Spain; continuing through Brazil and Argentina in South America, Southern and Western Africa, Japan and Singapore in Asia, and the USA, Hawaii, Canada, Antigua, Nassau and the Bahamas in North America. It will conclude in December 2010 at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, where the band will pay tribute to Jamaican patriots.

“Patriots” pays tribute to the artists who inspired Third World over the years. Among its previews is a new version of their greatest classic, “96 Degrees in the Shade”, shared on their website. It tells a true story from Jamaica’s fight for Black equality, quoting the actual words of George William Gordon, leader of the 1865 Morant Bay rebellion, shortly before his public hanging. This time, Stephen and Damian Marley join Third World on this liberation song.

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