Yes, reggae lovers, the Third World shows will go on!
The band flew into St. Thomas at 10 o'clock this morning after being stranded overnight in San Juan because American Airlines had no flights into St. Thomas Friday, and tonight's concerts at the Reichhold Center for the Arts are on as scheduled, at 7 and 10 p.m.
For both shows, tickets are $25 for all seats in the house, reserved. Tickets remain available for both shows, but the only place to get them at this point is the Reichhold box office. Charge card purchases may be made by calling 693-1559.
Third World, Jamaica's most enduring reggae band, has developed and sustained a reputation for producing and performing music that holds firm to the artists' cultural roots while continually pushing the edge of contemporary sounds and rhythms with themes that are positive, progressive and internationally relevant.
Founded in 1973, the band has a broad appeal with its unique sound, a credit to the band members' vast array of musical influences, styles, talents and interests.
Purists may regard the group as having sold out to the establishment, but much of the rest of the contemporary music-loving world has embraced Third World — and learned a lot about the roots and outreaches of reggae in the process. Credited with being the first reggae band to use a synthesizer, the group was also instrumental in popularizing dub poetry, which in turn became the basis for dancehall music. The band's enduring popularity validates its genius in fusing the musical traditions of the Caribbean, Africa and the contemporary African-American experience — rhythm 'n' blues, pop and funk.
Moving into the new millennium, Third World remains at the forefront of the reggae- crossover movement, incorporating elements of classical, rhythm 'n' blues, soul, hip-hop and other music forms.
