THIRD WORLD’S STEVEN “CAT” COORE TALKS MARLEY AND GHETTO YOUTHS INTERNATIONAL!

BY BRIAN BONITTO
Associate Editor —

FORTY years ago, Third World released their seminal album 96 Degrees In The Shade. That same year, 1977, Bob Marley dropped the acclaimed album Exodus. Both were recorded at Island Records founder Chris Blackwell’s Basing Street Studios in London.

Third World’s founding member and guitarist/cellist Cat Coore believes it is significant as Marley’s son, Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, is producing their new album More Work To Be Done.

Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore

The second single from that set, Eyes Are Upon You, was released days ago.

“Eyes Are Upon You is more reggae-oriented… more in the vein of roots reggae with a catchy hook. So, it’s more of the classic Third World sound. Damian Marley is adamant in us getting back our original sound,” Coore told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

The song was released on the Ghetto Youths International, a label owned by the Marley family. The first single, Yim Mas Gan (Let Him Be Praised), a remake of The Abyssinians’ original, came out in 2015.

Coore shared how the partnership with Marley and Ghetto Youths International came about.

“Damian said it was a dream of his to produce some music from Third World and, at the time, we were looking for a producer… And like his father, Damian is the consummate professional — a perfectionist,” he said. “We’ve been working on this album for the last four years. And — it is a classic in the making, just based on the direction we were heading,” he said.

More Work To Be Done is slated for an early 2018 release and is a follow-up to Patriots (2011).

“It will not be limited to one genre. A couple tracks will be leaning to dancehall, others reggae, and Afro. Damian is featured on the single Only A Heart and it’s very strong. We’re exploring and looking to see who else. The door is open,” he said.

Since its formation in 1973, Third World has seen several line-up changes. In addition to Coore, the current outfit includes lead singer A J Brown, bassist Richard Daley, keyboardists Norris “Noreiga” Webb and Maurice Gregory, and drummer Tony “Ruption” Williams.

The band maintains a hectic tour schedule. This summer they appeared on shows in the United States and Caribbean.