Artist...............: Third World
Album................: 96 Degrees In The Shade
Genre................: Reggae
Source...............: CD
Year.................: 1977
Ripper...............: Exact Audio Copy   (Secure mode) & Acer CD-R/RW 4X4X32
Codec................: Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC)
Version..............: reference libFLAC 1.2.1 20070917
Quality..............: Lossless, (avg. compression: 55 %)
Channels.............: Stereo / 44100 HZ / 16 Bit
Tags.................: VorbisComment
Information..........: TntVillage

Ripped by............: leonenero on 28/03/2014
Posted by............: leonenero on 28/03/2014
News Server..........: news.astraweb.com
News Group(s)........: alt.binaries.sounds.flac.full_TntVillage

Included.............: NFO, M3U8, LOG, CUE
Covers...............: Front Back CD 

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                       Tracklisting
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1. Tribal War [03.48]
2. Dreamland [03.40]
3. Feel a Little Better [03.51]
4. Human Market Place [04.31]
5. Third World Man [03.31]
6. 1865 [04.28]
7. Rhythm of Life [04.15]
8. Jah Glory [05.11]

Playing Time.........: 33.18
Total Size...........: 184,47 MB

THIRD WORLD are in something of a predicament. Six young, well to do Jamaicans, they
acquitted themselves well supporting Marley and The Wailers on their 76 UK Tour then released a first album that
elicited sharply polarised reactions.

Some took Third World to task for its lack of roots, reggae,
roughness and commitment, others (our own CSM among them) praised its eclecticism and knowing sophistication.

The bands approach was certainly lateral. The album featured little original material but instead balanced renditions
of JA torch songs (by the Spear) against others of American soul classics. Third World themselves landed somewhere
between these two tangents extremes that were, after all, more closely related in earlier days when
Jamaica musicians looked to the American mainland for a large part of their inspiration. Third World's
hybrid was soft-focussed, making much (and good) use of studio and instrumental technology.

For their
troubles, Third World were awarded honours and accolades in Jamaica. 1977 has seen them touring the US, East and West
coast college circuit and thinking very hard about a second album. 96 Degrees is the result of months spent recording,
scrapping, mixing, remixing…

Bunny Wailers tender Dreamland is the only non-original here. The other
seven songs are “ well, just check the titles: Jah Glory, Tribal War, Human Market Place, Third World Manâ, and
so forth. At least the apparent stylistic conflict of the first album has been resolved.
From here on in
it’s a matter of person preference. If you are already conversant with current JA sounds, then Third World aren
likely to impress. Bassist Richard Daley and drummer William Stewart cut neat but lightweight rhythms. The lead vocals
by Bunny (not the ex-Wailer) are uncharismatic, by no means strong; the band lyrics are almost uncomfortably earnest,
never entirely convincing. As it is, most other JA singers succeed in lending their chosen articles of faith far greater
poignancy. Third Worlds Jah Glory, for example, may be one of several undeniably pleasant melodies but it hardly
the ecstatic hymn of praise you might anticipate. Even the title song (also the single) fails to strike fire, despite
its dealing with some callous execution ritual committed by the British Imperial Army last century. The power simple
isn't there, boys.

If on the other hand you âre wary of JA and can' t seem to find a suitable entry point
into a proud, self-supportive music (but want to), then Third World could conceivably provide that access. The band
describe themselves as second generation JA musicians searching to expand the horizons of the inheritance. The songs are
very well arranged. Both sides open with Michael Cooper layered synthesisers evoking uncharted tropical latitudes of
mysterious grandeur. Stephen Moore lead guitar is uniformly excellent, whether electric (with devices) or acoustic
(without); he admired Hendrix and it shows.
The African, American and all compass points influences on Third World
are obvious, but they assimilate them carefully. Weak though the rhythms may be on the JA scale, they are firm
enough.
Myself I don't care that much for 96 Degrees though the group are thoughtful, sincere, individuals and
their work deserves to be heard, postulating as it does one of many possible ways in which JA music might take some
Great Leap Outward from its embattled citadel. Whether or not that Leap is desirable (or even necessary) is something
else…