Third World Live (Hawaii/Jamaica)

Third World has always been very much a pop-reggae band, preferring slickness over roots authenticity. So on this live two-CD set, the defining moment doesn't come when they reprise their big hits -- "Now That We Found Love," "96 in the Shade," or "Try Jah Love" -- but when they cover the Police's faux-reggae "Do Do Do, Da Da Da." It might not be quite as bland as the original, but it's close. And that's what Third World does -- they water down reggae and add touches of soul and pop, making it easier for mass consumption. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with that; it's their shtick, and they've got it down to an art. However, it's a very dated type of shtick; musically they're still stuck in the '80s, which was the period of their greatest success. They can even get into the quiet storm type of soul on "Conversation." Again, none of this is necessarily bad. But you have to question its relevance, little different than any other band dishing up hits from 20 years in the past without moving on and being creative. Third World can play and sing more than competently, but their hearts don't seem to be in the music -- it's all show. ~ Chris Nickson|

Third World has always been very much a pop-reggae band, preferring slickness over roots authenticity. So on this live two-CD set, the defining moment doesnt come when they reprise their big hits -- "Now That We Found Love," "96 in the Shade," or "Try Jah Love" -- but when they cover the Polices faux-reggae "Do Do Do, Da Da Da." It might not be quite as bland as the original, but its close. And thats what Third World does -- they water down reggae and add touches of soul and pop, making it easier for mass consumption. Theres nothing intrinsically wrong with that; its their shtick, and theyve got it down to an art. However, its a very dated type of shtick; musically theyre still stuck in the 80s, which was the period of their greatest success. They can even get into the quiet storm type of soul on "Conversation." Again, none of this is necessarily bad. But you have to question its relevance, little different than any other band dishing up hits from 20 years in the past without moving on and being creative. Third World can play and sing more than competently, but their hearts dont seem to be in the music -- its all show. ~ Chris Nickson