The Skatalites and Third World

2020 marks the 55th Anniversary of The Skatalites. The original members played on hundreds of recording sessions before forming the band in 1964. Backing most of the vocalists in Jamaica at that time, including Bob Marley, Toots and The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe and many more The Skatalites secured their place in history early on. After disbanding in 1965 the individual members continued playing in various groups as the music evolved from ska to rocksteady to reggae.
In the late 70’s a resurgence of interest in the music began in the U.K. which caused the creation of many bands such as The Specials, The English Beat, Madness, The Selecter and Bad Manners. This became known as the “Two-Tone era” and these British musicians fused rock music with the ska and reggae. In The early 80’s the music started to spread to the U.S.A and other parts of the world. Bands began to emerge all over the globe playing different flavors of ska and reggae fused with whatever else they wanted to throw in, including hard core, jazz and even punk. In 1983 The Skatalites reunited to play Reggae Sunsplash in Montego Bay and subsequently in London at The Crystal Palace for the U.K version of the Sunsplash event. A few years later they began emigrating to the U.S.A and in 1986 the first US shows began at The Village Gate in NYC. The band supported Bunny Wailer on The Liberation Tour in 1989 and followed it up in 1990 embarking on their first-ever headline tour of The U.S.A. The Skatalites have not stopped touring the world ever since and continue to be available for festivals, casinos, and intimate venue settings. Their uniquely infectious brand of real, authentic Jamaican ska excites audiences of all ages across the globe year after year.
“We hope you will enjoy listening to our music as much as we enjoy performing it for you.”

Third World

Celebrating 47 years, ‘Reggae Ambassadors’, THIRD WORLD is one of the longest-lived Reggae bands of all time, and one of Jamaica’s most consistently popular crossover acts among international audiences.  Mixing in elements of R&B, funk, pop, and rock and, later on, dancehall and rap, Third World’s style has been described as “reggae-fusion”.

With 9 Grammy nominations and catalogue of charted smash hits (including “Now That We Found Love”, ”96 Degrees in the Shade” and “Try Jah Love” )  spanning over four decades, sold-out tours, a vibrant and loyal fan base and inspirational messages, one may wonder, “Where did it all begin? What gives Third World the staying power so rare in the music industry?” Third World is more than just one of the top Reggae bands of all time, it is an institution that stands for producing and performing music that, while holding firm to the cultural and ancestral roots of its members, still pushes forward the cutting edge of music worldwide. It is an institution whose themes are positive, progressive and internationally relevant: an asset to any size festival / event.

Third World has performed to thousands of music fans on 6 of the 7 continents:  TW toured & recorded with late great Bob Marley, including opening for Marley’s first world tour in 1978, TW recorded and toured with master blaster Stevie Wonder, who produced 2 of their albums in the 80’s released with CBS, they toured America with legendary guitarist Santana, opened for the Jackson 5’s first concert in Jamaica, shared stages throughout the world with the U2, Sting, The Police, Whitney Houston, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Jimmy Buffet, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, the Marley Brothers  and more.

Third World’s hit songs have reached top 40 on the Billboard charts in the US, UK, Europe and Japan and received a platinum award in Japan.  In 1986, Third World received the United Nations Peace Medal for their contribution of music and their lyrical prose.   They performed on the MTV Amnesty International Concert at a sold out Giant Stadium in 1986 , performed at the Rose Bowl with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder & Michael Jackson, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, the Welcome Home Nelson Mandala concert in 1990, and have been featured at major sporting events including the Lord’s Cricket Grounds in the UK in 2000, and Opening Ceremony for Cricket World Cup in 2007, America’s Cup Bermuda 2017. TW has entertained millions over the television with performances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Arsenio Hall Show, Soul Train, Top of the Pops, Shirley Bassie show and more!  Third World has received the keys to Atlanta, Brooklyn, Atlantic City and Key West.

Third World released a new studio LP,  More Work To Be Done,  August 2019, produced by Multi-Grammy winner, Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, the youngest son of the legendary Bob Marley, under the Ghetto Youth International imprint.  The album has been nominated by the Recording Academy / Grammys  for Best Reggae Album 2020.