Third World captured the attention of Chris Blackwell, Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder in the 1970s
Old-school roots reggae may be going the way of vinyl and CDs, displaced by new-school dancehall. But for international audiences raised on Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff and Toots & The Maytals, there are few performers out there still carrying the roots-reggae torch.
But one of reggae’s greatest all-time bands, the legendary Third World – who crossed over to the mainstream with their mix of rock, pop, funk and reggae – are still cranking out new records and touring the world almost four decades after guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore co-founded the band with keyboard player Michael “Ibo” Cooper back in 1973.
“We’re not making as much money as the younger guys are today,” says Coore, now 55. “I mean, what they’re earning – compared to what we made at their age – is astounding. But we are thankful we’re still around.”
So are international reggae audiences who grew up grooving to an incredible run of Third World classic songs, from 96° in the Shade to Now That We Found Love, a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic that brought the band to the attention of Stevie Wonder.
“When Bob [Marley] passed away in May 1981, Stevie came down to Jamaica and spent quite a few months there just digging the vibes,” Coore recalls. “By the time Reggae Sunsplash rolled around that summer, Stevie invited us over to his villa where he said he’d like to join us [during our set] that night at Sunsplash. So that’s what we did. We rehearsed Master Blaster (Jammin’). He joined us onstage for that and Now That We Found Love. That led us the next year to finishing our new album in his studio, which led to Try Jah Love [which Wonder co-wrote with Melody A McCully], a song that is now sung in churches across America.”
When it comes to religion, though, Coore himself says to each his own.
“You know, Rastafarianism for me is more a philosophy to help guide one’s life,” he says. “For others it is a religion. For me Rastafarianism is a philosophy that espouses harmony and respect. In the end, how we deal with the good and the bad in our lives is what defines us.”
These days Coore wishes the current crop of dancehall performers would embrace more conscious lyrics – a subject he brings up during our interview.
“It’s true that [roots-reggae] is music of the past,” Coore explains. “But it has retained its relevance. Even in dancehall music there is still a strong reggae presence. Lots of musicians have retained that sound. But dancehall has its weaknesses. I won’t mention any names but some of these artists push [slack] lyrics. A lot of them are frivolous. Whereas when we were young it was all about the message we were sending.”
Coore may not name names, but I will: Nothing arguably has done more to hurt reggae internationally in the last decade than the anti-gay lyrics of dancehall reggae superstars Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Capleton, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel and Elephant Man – performers I call the unmagnificent seven.
The backlash in Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and North America has forced the cancellations of hundreds of concerts worldwide and caught in the crossfire have been artists like Third World and Beres Hammond (who also performs at the Montreal reggae festival on August 21), such as when the U.K. festival Reggae in the Park at London’s Victoria Park pulled the plug on their entire festival one year, costing many old-school acts a healthy paycheque.
Beres Hammond also performs at the Montreal International Reggae Festival on August 21
“The anti-gay lyrics have definitely been a part of it, but it’s also all that gun business,” Coore sighs. “It’s very negative and has helped [kill a lot of the business] globally. This gun business has been a great disappointment to a lot of us.”
With the traditional reggae circuit drying up overseas, it has become increasing rare to see great live acts like Third World headlining in Montreal.
“Thank goodness for jazz festivals and reggae festivals because a lot of the traditional acts – Toots, Third World, Steel Pulse – our livelihood is based on festivals,” says Coore, proud that his band’s new album Patriots also features guest vocals from the late Gregory Isaacs (“It may have been his last-ever recording, I’m not sure,” Coore adds).
And after 38 years on the road, Third World can still wow a crowd, just like they did before 30,000 stunned music fans when they opened for the Jackson Five at the Jamaican National Stadium back in 1974. Before long, they were playing in England where Island Records’ Chris Blackwell saw them perform. Blackwell immediately offered them a record deal and a slot on a European tour, opening for one of his artists, Bob Marley and The Wailers.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Montreal's very own Jah Cutta also performs at the Montreal International Reggae Festival on August 21
In addition to their substantial music catalogue, also key to Third World’s longevity in the often shady reggae business has been the band’s consummate professionalism. Third World were even added to the Montreal reggae festival bill at the last minute last year after a very unprofessional Bunny Wailer bailed, unfairly sullying the festival’s name.
Unfortunately, when Third World arrived in Montreal the skies just opened up and it poured rain.
Amazingly the Montreal reggae festival survived last summer’s devastating one-two punch.
“We were ready to perform but the weather just didn’t let up,” Coore recalls. “But we’re back this year. We have always loved Montreal, the city has been a great tour stop for Third World over the years and we’re going to give you a show to remember.”
Third World co-headlines the Montreal International Reggae Festival with Beres Hammond and others, on Sunday, August 21, at the Quays of the Old Port of Montreal. Headliners on Saturday, August 20, include Movado and Gyptian.
For a complete schedule of performers on August 20-21, surf to the Montreal International Reggae Festival’s official website
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