The term Third World was first intended to refer to economically underdeveloped and developing countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean with common characteristics, such as poverty, high birthrates, and economic dependence on advanced countries.

However, since 1973, a group of Jamaican musicians have given another definition to the term by branding themselves as Third World. Over time, they have distinguished themselves as Reggae Ambassadors by performing first class music.

This year, Third World is celebrating its 37th anniversay and they have a lot to celebrate. For the achievements of Third World Band since it started almost 40 years ago, make a mockery of the expression political of the characteristics of the term.

It has been a rather busy year for the ten time Grammy-nominated band has released a total of 22 albums as well as solo projects from Lead Singer Williams ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clarke and Guitarist Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore. With international hit singles such as 96 Degrees in the Shade, Reggae Ambassador, Sense of Purpose, Committed, Ain’t Giving Up, the cover version of Gamble & Huff’s, Now That We’ve Found Love, Try Jah Love written and produced by Stevie Wonder, and Dancing on the Floor, to mention a few, the Ambassadors for Reggae continue to build on that impressive list with their latest offering, Patriots.

“We started out the year with Jazz and Blues and that was our premiere concert to celebrate our 37th anniversary. We also did shows in Antigua and the St Kitts’ Jazz Festival. Those two were really really successful gigs,” leader Cat Coore told the Observer.

They also did St Barths before moving on to Europe for a two weeks gig performing Amsterdam, Poland, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

“We have been doing the coast and some Florida dates as well. Then we released the Patriots album. We released it online and we have been getting good response so far,” Cat explained.

“People like it, and they like the fact that we have so many top guest artistes . We have Sly and Robbie, Damion and Stephen Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Marcia Griffiths, Tarrus Riley, Mykal Roze, Junior Reid, Inner Circle, Dean Fraser, and Jassica Yapp,” he added.

Meanwhile, lead singer Bunny Rugs states the admiration of fans is the driving force behind the band’s commitment. “It’s about the people we have around the world that you have to service every year. The man inna Poland, Spain, Guatemala, St Thomas, Barbados, him affi see you every year. And them become family after awhile. So after 37 years, you have a ole heap of family all over the world.

“So we can’t disappoint them and make them hear sey Bunny Rugs nuh deh wid Third World, Richie just left and Cat gone too. It can’t work so, because it’s not just us. It’s not just Third World, it’s the Third World family. So that’s why we deh together for 37 years,” Bunny Rugs stressed.

By conversing with three of the founding members of Third World, it was made clear that they all have a sense of conviction which is reflected in their longevity and the lyrics of their songs.

Turning to the new album, Bunny Rugs had this to say. “With this new album Patriots, we said alright, since it is 37 years and we want to put a new album we decided on an album that have significvance. The song 96 Degrees in the Shade is one of Third World’s most popular tunes. But a lot of people who listen to that song don’t know what that song is all about.

“That song is about Paul Bogle who was hanged by the British in 1865. So what we have decided to do is to record the 37th anniversary album in memory of Paul Bogle and invite some of the patriots like Capleton, Tarrus Riley, the Marley brothers, Marcia Griffiths and all those people to enjoy and celebrate this 37 years with us.”

And the bass player Richard Daley was no less enthused about how he feels about the year so far as well as the new project. “It’s a fantastic album, if I may say so myself. And we gonna promote it globally, we gonna tour behind it. We have started already and we have been to countries we have never been to before like Poland in Eastern Europe….and it’s going very well there, sales have been coming very good on the digital side.”

Reflecting on the journey to this point, the mild-mannered soft-spoken musican admitted; “Like most things it has it’s ups and downs and we had some radical changes when some key people left the band to go to do other things and we continue until we now reach 37 years and the challenge is not to reinvent yourself but to keep things fresh.”