Third World Cool Meditation

Probably the first and best fusion of reggae and soul music by a reggae group. Third World was looking to sell records worldwide and not just in Jamaica and England, and while the band s fusion of these genres may have infuriated the diehard Rasta man, it helped the music reach a larger base. After the opening One Cold Vibe, a melodic reggae bouncer, a tepid Cold Sweat (not the James Brown tune) has floating rhythms that soften the harsh lyrics. Falsetto vocals propel Cool Meditation, which has a faster beat then most of these tracks, but it s the remake of the O Jays Now That We Found Love that established them as international stars. The title track Journey to Addis is an amalgamation of practically everything, and it works; though traditionalists will dismiss it and these other tracks, there s nothing superficial about this winning album that is now available on CD.