Country: Jamaica
Third World is a Jamaican reggae fusion band formed in 1973 in Kingston by keyboardist Michael "Ibo" Cooper and guitarist Stephen "Cat" Coore, who had previously played with The Alley Cats and Inner Circle. The group initially included vocalist Milton "Prilly" Hamilton, bassist Richard Daley, drummer Carl Barovier, and percussionist Irvin "Carrot" Jarrett. Early on, they performed in Kingston hotels and nightclubs, supporting acts like The Jackson Five, and recorded their first single, “Railroad Track,” in 1974. Their self-titled debut album in 1976 included a cover of The Abyssinians’ “Satta Massagana,” which became a local hit and helped establish them as one of Jamaica’s prominent reggae acts. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Third World achieved international recognition, blending reggae with soul, funk, and disco influences. Their cover of The O’Jays’ “Now That We Found Love” became a transatlantic hit in 1978, reaching the UK top 10 and leading to collaborations with artists like Stevie Wonder. The band also participated in festivals such as Reggae Sunsplash and toured extensively in the United States and Europe. During this period, lineup changes saw the addition of William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke as lead vocalist and Willie Stewart on drums, further solidifying the group’s signature sound that mixed reggae roots with pop-oriented melodies. In the decades that followed, Third World continued recording and performing despite changes in membership and evolving musical trends. They released albums like Sense of Purpose, Committed, and Under the Magic Sun, and received multiple lifetime achievement awards for their contributions to reggae music. Their musical style, often described as reggae fusion, incorporates elements of soul, R&B, jazz, and funk while maintaining reggae foundations. Key members such as Bunny Rugs, Michael Cooper, Prilly Hamilton, Carrot Jarrett, and Cat Coore have passed away, but Richard Daley has remained a constant, and…
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