'Patriots' restores faith in new music - Third World speaks about recently released album

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Thirty seven years in the business and reggae band Third World is still making big strides.

After touring since January, the group recently digitally released its 23rd album, Patriots, on August 25 at www.thirdworlddigistore.com. Speaking with The Sunday Gleaner while on a brief break from a hectic schedule, Ritchie Daley discussed the group's recent shows and the reactions to the album.

"We've been touring since the beginning of the year and we've been to quite a few places. We've been to places we have never been to, like Poland as well as some places in Eastern Europe. The reception so far has been good from the crowds," said Daley.

short break

The break for the six-man band will not last long and they will soon be back on the road with shows in Florida, Europe, California and New Zealand, among other places.

In the meantime, they are basking in the glow of having released their latest album - an album Daley said is the longest they have taken to release. "I'm tremendously pleased. This album was like an experiment and it was going on for so long, is like my faith almost began to waiver. I was beginning to wonder if we did the right thing ... but the reaction has been good and its been ranked as one of our best. My faith in doing new music is restored," he said.

A 13-track album, Patriots features collaborations with the likes of Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley, Tessanne Chin, Tarrus Riley, Toots Hibbert, Junior Reid, Mykal Rose, Marcia Griffith, Gregory Issacs, Capleton and Dean Fraser.

The 10-time Grammy nominated band said while 37 years is a long time, there is still more to come. "Although we've been around for an exceptionally long time, I don't see retirement in the near future, we plan to do this till we die," said Daley.

"Right now we'll be promoting the album around the world and looking to release the hard copy in the next couple of weeks, " he said.