Third World found it difficult to land a label deal in Jamaica, so they traveled to England, signing with Island label. Their debut single, “Railroad Track”, was released in 1974, followed by a European tour where they served as the opening act for Bob Marley and the Wailers. Their eponymously named debut album was released in 1976, and included a cover of "Satta Massagana", originally performed by The Abyssinians.

Their follow up album, 96° in the Shade (1977), was an enormous critical success in the UK and Europe. The album introduced two new band members, the new drummer Willie "Roots" Stewart and new lead singer William Clarke, aka Bunny Rugs. The title track, “1865 (96 Degrees in the Shade)”, refers to the year of the Morant Bay rebellion, headed by the Baptist deacon and preacher Paul Bogle.

Third World’s next album, Journey to Addis (1978), featured a funky, disco-flavored reggae cover of the O'Jays' "Now That We Found Love." The album became a top thirty hit in the UK.

While the band played roots reggae, they have also incorporated other styles into their music, and it was the initial influence of The Wailers that prompted the formation of the band to take on a new direction that combined reggae with other genres. The band have played also folk-pop, hard rock, bossa nova, rap, light pop-jazz, doo-wop and calypso. Their style has been described as reggae fusion.

Reference List

https://www.thirdworldband.com/#about-third-world

https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/third-world/about/

https://worldmusiccentral.org/2018/09/30/artist-profiles-third-world/

https://worldmusiccentral.org/2018/09/30/artist-profiles-third-world/