When
Third World’s redo of “96 Degrees” with the Marley brothers hit reggae radio in 2010, it was a satisfying reminder of their heyday, even if the veteran band had just done the classic-hits-in-a-modern-style thing in 2003 on their
25th Anniversary album. Add their lukewarm 2005 effort
Black, Gold, Green, and fans had every right to be skeptical of this star-studded effort, but
Patriots is a surprisingly vital recording that’s as comfortable as reggae-pop should be, just not to a fault. Past
Stephen and Damian’s effervescent “96 Degrees,” “Front Door” is a crucial highlight with the late, great
Gregory Isaacs convincingly playing the broken-hearted Casanova on one of his final recordings. Dedicated to the earthquake-ravaged people of Haiti, “Spirit Lives” is a stately story of triumph, while “By My Side” finds
Tessanne Chin and the
World’s own William "Bunny Rugs" Clark making modern lovers rock worthy of
Beres Hammond. The royalty just keeps coming as
Capleton,
Tarrus Riley,
Toots, and
Marcia Griffiths all turn in dynamic performances, but deep reggae fanatics might get the most pleasure out of hearing legendary Jamaican saxophonist
Dean Fraser in top form during the
World original “Always Around.” ~ David Jeffries