Journey to Addis

by Third World

Product Description:

Third World includes: Rugs (vocals, guitar); Richie (guitar, bass); Cat (guitar, background vocals); Ibo (keyboards, background vocals); Willy (drums); Carrot (percussion).

Engineers include: Alex Sadkin, Steve Stanley, Jack Nuber.

Recorded at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas. Originally released on Island Records (9554).

Digitally remastered by Jeff Willens (Universal Music Group Studios).

A fairly rare item in the Third World discography--it was originally released only in Jamaica in 1978, not showing up in the US and UK until some time after--JOURNEY TO ADDIS is one of Third World's best albums. It's also one of their more rootsy and serious affairs, with a more pronounced Rasta vibe than many of their poppier LPs.

There are still the usual Third World R&B influences, as on the opening "One Cold Boogie," "Cold Sweat"--not the James Brown tune--and the almost discoish "Now That We've Found Love" (think of Philadelphia International's Gamble and Huff productions remixed by Lee "Scratch" Perry). But, from the aptly titled "Cool Meditation" to the fiery title track, the emphasis is more on serious declarations of religious and social pride. JOURNEY TO ADDIS is a thoughtful but never over-serious roots reggae gem.