By Lincoln DePradine

“Third World’’, the Jamaican reggae outfit, is synonymous with scintillating, high-calibre music.

Some of the band’s many memorable songs include “Now That We Found Love’’ and “96 Degrees In The Shade’’.

Richie Daley, the band’s forever bassist, promises the same Third World signature quality music when the reggae greats appear this weekend at a “Jamaica Day’’ event in Brampton.

Third World, he said, is “ready to blaze’’ and give people attending “what they pay for, what they come for and what they expect’’.

The band, he added, also will be playing hits from its latest album, “More Work To Be Done’’, which was produced by Grammy Award winner Damian Marley, youngest son of the late Jamaican music icon Bob Marley.

“We’re just going to keep it hype; looking forward to it, really looking forward to it,’’ Daley said in an interview with The Caribbean Camera.

“We’re going to be playing some of the new songs from our current album, ‘More Work To Be Done’. We also will be playing a whole pile of songs that all of us grew up on throughout the Caribbean and throughout the world.’’

Daley is an original member of Third World, which celebrated its 50th anniversary on August 6.

Another founding-members of the band, which was formed in 1973, is guitarist Stephen “Cat’’ Coore.

Other band member over the last half-century have included “Michael “Ibo’’ Cooper; Irvin “Carrot’’ Jarrett; Carl Barovier; Milton “Prilly’’ Hamilton; Willie Stewart; Rupert “Gypsy’’ Bent III; Leroy “Baarbe’’ Romans; Mikel Wallace; Herbie Harris; and Maurice Gregory.

William “Bunny Rugs’’ Clarke, the unmistakable lead vocalist on many of Third World’s top songs, died in 2014.

AJ Brown is now lead vocalist. He, Daley, Coore, drummer Tony “Ruption’’ Williams and keyboardist Norris “Noriega’’ Webb are the band’s current musicians.

Brown is a “brilliant singer who came and filled the void’’, Daley told The Caribbean Camera. “A few days ago, he released his own album’’.

The “Jamaica Day Family, Food & Music Festival’’ is Saturday, August 26, and Sunday, August 27, at Brampton Sports Park, 7575 Kennedy Road.

It’s the 33rd edition of the event organized by Sunrise Talent Program.

“This two-day event promises an immersive experience of family fun, celebrating the vibrant sounds, flavours and culture of Jamaica; featuring an array of delectable food, captivating arts and crafts; and, in addition to that, a dynamic lineup of both national and international musicians,’’ said organizers.

“Jamaica Day offers an unparalleled celebration that caters to all ages,’’ they said, and “the heart of Jamaica Day lies in its music. This year’s lineup doesn’t disappoint’’ and includes “legendary veteran Sanchez, who brings sounds of reggae, dancehall, lovers rock and gospel reggae’’.

Apart from Sanchez and Third World, Jamaica Day attendees also will be entertained by others such as Armoury; KUMAR; Fyah; Empress Minott; Jimmy Reid; Wire and Friends and their drumming; gospel sensation Dr Kay Morris; Nana Mclean and the rhythmic vibes of the all-female band Rayzalution; and Afrobeats singer-songwriter Joe Gez.

According to organizers, “there is something for everyone to enjoy’’.

Third World’s catalogue of music includes singles as well as studio and live albums, such as “Journey to Addis’’, “Rock The World’’, “Third World’’ and “Greatest Hits’’.

Public response to “More Work To Be Done’’, released in 2019, has been “tremendous’’, Daley said.

It received a nomination for a Grammy Award in the “Best Reggae Album’’ category.

“The response has been great, even though it came out at a time when everything had to go on the backburner with COVID,’’ Daley said. “For the most part, we are very, very pleased and very proud and looking forward to going back in the studio with Damian Marley and recording another album.’’

Third World has been visiting Canada since the1970s and has stopped counting the exact number of times “a long time ago’’, said Daley.

He explained the longevity of the band’s existence as grounded in “faith in what we’re doing. We strongly believe in what we’re doing. If we play good music and spread the love, it will pay off; we pride ourselves in that. We are grateful for what the Almighty has given us and we’re just very proud to be Third World’’.

The band recently toured Europe and, following the performance here in Canada, Third World will be off to New York and the US north-east, and also is scheduled for summer concerts in the Caribbean.

The gate, to “Jamaica Day’’ on both Saturday and Sunday, opens at 1 pm. The event culminates at 10 pm.

For more information, visit www.torontojamaicaday.com; email: torontojamaicaday@gmail.com; or call 416-627-9477, 647-891-4749 or 647-833-9079.

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