Third World -

Third World are a Jamaican roots-reggae band, established abroad with the 1976–78 Island albums Third World, 96° in the Shade, and Journey to Addis. They scored transatlantic hits with “Now That We Found Love” and the 1981/82 CBS singles “Try Jah Love” and “Dancing on the Floor (Hooked on Love).” They embraced synth-funk on the 1985 US R&B hit “One More Time.”

Members: Michael “Ibo” Cooper (keyboards, 1973-97), Steven “Cat” Coore (guitar, cello), Richard Daley (bass), Carl Barovier (drums), Willie Stewart (drums, 1977-97), Irvin “Carrot” Jarret (percussion), Milton “Prilly” Hamilton (vocals, 1973-76), Cornell Marshall (drums), Bunny Rugs (vocals, 1976-2014), Leroy Romans (keyboards, 1997-?) Tony Williams (drums, 1997-present), Herbie Harris (keyboards), Rupert Bent (guitar, keyboard, percussion)

Background

Third World formed in 1973 as an outgrowth of Inner Circle, a veteran Kingston club band with keyboardist Michael “Ibo” Cooper, guitarist–cellist Stephen “Cat” Coore, singer Milton “Prilly” Hamilton, and percussionist Irvin “Carrot” Jarrett. Their initial name, Sons of the Third World, drew from political concerns around Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley and Cat’s father, Deputy Prime Minister David Coore.

Cooper grew up in Spalding, Clarendon, in a family of teachers; aunt Olga Lysesight taught him piano from childhood. He attended Jamaica College, where he led Rhythms and played organ in the school chapel. Cooper joined the Lewis brothers in the group that became Inner Circle following sixth form.

Coore grew up in Kingston; the son of piano teacher Rita Angela Innis (died 1975) and attorney-politician David Coore, who served from 1972 in Manley’s senior cabinet. He studied cello under Noelle Foster Davis at the Foster Davis School of Music. Coore took up guitar in early adolescence and joined Inner Circle as a teenager. Hamilton came from August Town and attended Excelsior High School; by 1973 he sang lead in Inner Circle.

Third World cut unreleased early material with producer and former Mighty Mystics guitarist Geoffrey Chung. They debuted live in August 1973 at the Independence morning stage show at Carib Theatre. By 1974, their lineup stabilized with the Tomorrow’s Children rhythm section: drummer Cornell Marshall and bassist Richard “Richie” Daley, a prior Ken Boothe sideman. Their first single, “Sun Won’t Shine” (b/w “I Ask Myself Why”), appeared in early 1975 on Cavlip.

In mid-1975, Third World traveled to England and linked with Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who booked July opening slots with Bob Marley & The Wailers in London (Lyceum Ballroom), Birmingham (Odeon), and Manchester (Hard Rock). In November, Third World made their Island debut with “Railroad Track” (b/w “Freedom Song”).

Discography: