Third World spells class
Published:Monday | February 14, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Palmyra Foundation event proves a hit
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
With a sense of purpose Third World reaffirmed the fact that their name denotes 'First World, First Class', as they committed to keeping the large audience at The Palmyra Foundation beach party last Friday night enthralled.
It was the celebrated reggae ambassadors that the hungry audience salivated for, ready to be injected with 96 degrees of musical medicine.
And as soon as the medication was administered, it took immediate effect - the audience stomping, dancing and gyrating on the magical white-sand beach of The Palmyra Beach Resort and Spa, Montego Bay.
Third World was the icing on the cake mixed by the fresh, soulful Tessane Chin and richly baked by the untouchable and incredibly talented Tarrus Riley.
Like a smooth operator, Chin's sultry fusion of dancehall, reggae and edgy rock riffs, mixed with the cool night air, opened up a weekend that has made way for the start of something big in the tourism capital.
But it was Riley, the dominant force that lit the fire in the loins, opening a floodgate that had 'Love Fest' written all over it. Riley never even needed to deliver the scintillating performance audiences across the world have become accustomed to, neither did he need to say "I love you", to the party people who forked out US$100 per person for educational opportunities for the island's basic-school children. All he had to do last Friday night was stand on the stage.
He didn't just stand, he sung his heart out and so did his backup singers.
It became overly clear why women fall in love with the man that has taken over reggae music in the land of its birth.
When Riley and sidekick Dean Fraser completed their 40-minute set, they had already prepared the crowd for a funky reggae party with Third World.
At 11:30 p.m. the reggae ambassadors reminded the audience of the energy that came from the early days of Reggae Sunsplash.
Powerfully paying tribute to Mother Africa through the use of the drums of the land, ancestors sent vibrations that reverberated positively right down to the toes.
Lenworth 'Tony Ruption' Williams, the Third World's percussionist, left the bandstand and took centre stage with the young drummers, who he mentors at the Montego Bay Boys and Girls' Club.
The show could have easily ended there, but lead guitarist 'Cat' Coore, took charge of a cello and delivered a masterpiece of a performance with Bob Marley's Redemption Song.
Third World ended an evening handled professionally by broadcaster-compere Heather 'Brown Sugar' Grant.
Some of the organisations committed to ensuring children in at least some basic schools are able to get books through The Foundation this year include, The Gleaner, Margaritaville Caribbean, John Swaby, VM Wealth Management, 1876 Wines, Appleton Rum, Corona Extra, Ocean Spray, Jablum Coffee and Coca Cola.